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Prune cake made with baby food


Baby's Favorite Prune Cake Recipe

"I made this when my cousin wouldn't part with her recipe for prune cake, and none of the recipes I could find seemed to match the goodness of her baking. This is almost an exact replica, and for all I know could be exactly what she uses. You will find that this cake is a very old-fashioned quick bread that uses baby food to keep it moist and provide that extra burst of flavor. I am sure it will quickly become one of your favorites!"

 

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photo by PalatablePastime

Ready In:
1hr 10mins
Ingredients:
13
Serves:

ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 12 ounces prune baby food (applesauce could be substituted)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon clove
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 cups pitted prunes, snipped into raisin-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons sorghum molasses

directions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Grease 13x9x2" cake pan, and set aside.
  • Cream together margarine and sugar until well blended; add lightly beaten eggs and mix well.
  • Add prune baby food and molasses to sugar/egg mix and blend well.
  • In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients except nuts and prunes.
  • Add to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.
  • Add nuts and prunes and fold into batter.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in 325 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out pretty clean.
  • Serve plain, as a snacking cake, or for a sweeter touch, sift confectioners sugar over cake; or make a glaze of confectioners sugar and milk to a drizzling consistency and drizzle over cake.
  • Tastes good plain though.

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A Cake By Any Other Name

Prune Cake. (Or, spice cake. Or, dried plum cake.)

While I'm steadily knitting away, I'll share another recipe from our Christmas holiday. This one was baked by my son-in-law before they headed back home. The recipe came from my collection but he has made it more often than me for the last several years. I got the recipe from my secretary many years ago when I was working as a home economist. I've never been famous for my cake baking, but this one has always provided sure-fire results.

Don't let the name frighten you. It's basically a spice cake. The prunes help create a moist cake and give it this lovely rich color. Trust me that it's delicious. Look at the long list of spices. That's what you'll taste. All the grandchildren love it. So do the grownups. They think it's perfect with a cup of coffee.

PRUNE CAKE

1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
about 6-7 ounces baby food prunes (about 2 jars/containers)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar and oil, then add eggs and beat well. Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and set aside. Sift all dry ingredients together. Add to egg mixture, alternately with buttermilk mixture. Add prunes and vanilla. Fold in nuts, if using.
Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. (Now, I use a baking spray.)

After removing cake from oven, cut into squares while it is still in the pan and is hot. Leave in pan and pour hot topping over cake. Additional chopped nuts may be sprinkled over the top, if desired.

Topping:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Mix and bring to a boil. Let simmer while cake bakes last 20 minutes. Pour hot topping over hot cake.

Helpful tip: Measure all the spices before you start the mixing process. Then the rest of the recipe is a snap.

Now let me tell you a story about using old recipes. This recipe was given to me about 40 years ago. Back when baby food all came in jars. So when a recipe called for "2 jars of baby food prunes" as this recipe did, there was no doubt as to the amount.

Fast forward several years. Baby food started coming in two sizes—small jars for babies, larger jars for toddlers. I had never paid any attention to the amount. And it had been a long time since I had baked the cake and I had forgotten which size jar I used. So I called the Beechnut helpline and asked them to help me figure out how much to add to this recipe. That's still been so long ago, I've forgotten exactly what we were converting. Small jars to large? Large jars to small? But we determined that I needed 6-8 ounces of baby food prunes.

Now go look at the baby section of your grocery store. Baby food often comes in little plastic containers or squeeze pouches now. Jars are harder to find. The prunes I found this shopping trip are a blend of prunes and apples. That will work, too. Each little plastic container is 4 ounces, so this recipe would use two of them. (Goodness, I miss those little glass jars that I saved for so many other purposes.)

There is a bigger lesson here, though. When you use a recipe based on packaged foods, it would be wise to make note of the actual measurement—in cups, in teaspoons, in ounces, etc. Those package sizes will change.

You know can sizes have pretty much all shrunk. And cake mix recipes...the doctored up recipes...are mostly based on an 18.25 oz box of cake mix. Cake mixes are now 15.25 oz. That's 3 ounces less, a significant difference! So I find myself looking for recipes that are based on real ingredients that will always be the same. Measure out the flour and sugar yourself and you won't run into the problem of changing box sizes.

So back to the prune cake. If you think your family will still be freaked out by the name "prune cake," call it spice cake. Or, call it dried plum cake. That's all prunes are. Here are a few words from the CaliforniaDriedPlums.org:

Are dried plums the same as prunes?

 Yes, they are.  All prunes are plums, but not all plums are prunes.  Prune plum varieties have very high sugar contents that enable them to be dried without fermenting while still containing the pits.

Why was the name prunes changed to dried plums?

Research conducted in the U.S. showed that our target audience, women ages 25 to 54, responded more favorably to the name dried plums.  It is also more descriptive for people who don’t know that prunes are fresh plums that have been dried.  Outside the U.S., the product is still called prunes.

composition, useful and medicinal properties

Prune puree - one-component dish for baby food. Produced from natural prunes, without added sugar, it has a characteristic rich fruity taste and aroma.

Commercially prepared prune puree, may contain rice starch, grits, water, additionally fortified with vitamin C. Formulated without flavorings, preservatives, color thickeners, GMOs, gluten or milk protein. nine0003

It can also be prepared at home.

How to cook

  1. Z-4 Rinse the prunes thoroughly and pour boiling water for several hours, cover with a lid, this will allow the berries to soften well. Then boil soft berries, after draining the infused water.
  2. After that they are peeled and crushed by rubbing through a sieve or grinding through a meat grinder.
  3. The resulting mass is diluted with a small amount of water, then heated to a boil, removed from heat. nine0012
  4. The cold puree can be used to feed your baby.

Important! When choosing fruits for mashing, give preference to matte dried fruits, black, and they should not be smoked.

Composition

Children's prune puree has a diverse chemical composition:

  • organic acids: citric, oxalic, malic;
  • unsaturated fatty acids; nine0012
  • saturated fatty acids;
  • mono and disaccharides: fructose, glucose, sucrose;
  • pectins;
  • vegetable fibre;
  • starch;
  • tannins;
  • ash;
  • sorbitol;
  • phenol complexes;
  • vitamins: beta-carotene, retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic and nicotinic acids, B1, B2, B5, K;
  • mineral salts: potassium, zinc, magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, calcium.

Useful properties

Compliance with the recommendations when using this product has a beneficial effect on the child's body, since the vitamin-mineral complex of prunes puree activates the growth of the child, his full development.

In addition, this type of baby food:

  • serves as a prevention of diseases of the digestive system;
  • prevents the development of salmonella and E. coli;
  • removes toxins, salts of heavy metals, slags; nine0012
  • relieves constipation with a mild laxative effect;
  • fights beriberi and saturates the child's body with mineral salts, amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants, dietary fiber;
  • slows down the development of caries and inflammation of the gums due to the bactericidal properties of prunes.
  • affects the health of the heart muscle;
  • has a diuretic effect;
  • is less allergenic than other fruit purees
  • speeds up metabolism.

This product is quite nutritious, so it quickly satisfies the feeling of hunger, does not require additional sweetening, has a long shelf life and is available at any time of the year.

Use restrictions

This product is not recommended for use by babies in case of:

  • allergies to prunes;
  • baby less than 3 months old;
  • diarrhea;
  • overweight.

Excessive consumption of prune puree provokes the occurrence of frequent diarrhea, which dehydrates the child's body. nine0003

How to use

Prunes puree is recommended as one of the complementary foods for babies older than six months. The industrially produced product is ready to use, it is enough to warm it up a little in a water bath to +37°C.

As a regular complementary food, this type of baby food is given from 1 tsp. 1-2 times a day, gradually increasing the portion of the product. A one-year-old baby can eat up to 100 g of this type of puree per day.

It is recommended to use prune puree for breakfast or lunch, as feeding this product in the evening is fraught with sleepless nights. nine0003

For children over 1 year old, this product can be used as a sauce for porridge, cottage cheese and other dishes. It is recommended to combine it with banana or pear puree, bakery products, rice.

How to store

Experts recommend using a new jar of baby food each time you feed your baby.

For children older than 1 year, it is acceptable to use products that are stored in the refrigerator, no more than a day.

Unopened baby food cans are stored at +2°C to +25°C, for the period indicated on the product label. nine0125 If at the first opening of the jar a characteristic cotton is not heard, such a product cannot be used for food.

Energy value of the product (ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates):

Proteins: 2.1g ( ∼ 8.4 kcal)

Fats: 0.2g ( ∼ 1.8 kcal)

Carbs: 61.8g ( ∼ 247.2 kcal)

Energy ratio (b|g|y): 3% | 0% | nine6%

In 1 teaspoon 17 g.

In 1 tbsp. spoon 50 g.

In 1 glass 350 g.

In 1 jar 200 g. Do not confuse with plum! Prunes and plums are different from each other. Now let's talk in detail about prunes and its introduction to complementary foods.

Prunes are nutritious fruits that are great fun, as they have a sweet, deep flavor and a sticky, chewy texture. Prunes are actually dried plums, or rather, the dried version of special varieties of plums, such as Hungarian or Burton. For the manufacture of dried fruit, only ripe and sweet fruits are used. nine0003

History of prunes

Table of contents:

The process of drying plums to make prunes is believed to have taken place thousands of years ago in the area around the Caspian Sea, the same region where European prunes originated. They spread throughout Europe with the migration of different cultures and civilizations. It is believed that prunes began to be produced in Russia around the 17th century, and in America in the 19th century.

Why are prunes better than plums?

Prunes are one of the best foods to introduce into your baby's complementary foods. Three medium prunes are a good source of both types of dietary fiber, soluble and insoluble. Prunes contain a lot of fiber, but they are also high in sugar, so you should not consume this product too often. It is better to eat prunes no more than a few times a week. nine0003

Prunes contain significantly more nutrients and minerals than plums. He is the most famous product for maintaining bowel function and relieving constipation. It is important to note that this product is rich in iron, chromium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, as well as vitamins such as A, B, C, E, etc.

Moreover, it should be noted that prunes help with constipation better than plums, since they have a more pronounced laxative effect. Sorbitol, a natural sugar present in prunes, functions as a laxative, it draws moisture into the digestive tract and eases bowel movements. nine0003

Prunes are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision. One prune provides 3% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. Prunes contain manganese, iron, and plant phenols, which act as antioxidants and help protect cell membranes from free radical damage. This product contains a lot of potassium, which ensures the proper functioning of the heart.

One serving of prunes (100g) meets your daily boron requirements, and the potassium present in prunes helps support healthy bones. Prunes also have anti-inflammatory properties and are highly recommended for people suffering from arthritis. Iron deficiency that occurs in babies after 6 months can lead to anemia, and prunes are excellent sources of iron, which the child's body needs to replenish from food. It is important to note that prunes contain vitamin C, which improves the absorption of iron. nine0003

According to the complementary feeding scheme, prunes are introduced at about 7-8 months, earlier only for medical reasons. For example, if a child has constipation and the pediatrician recommends introducing prune puree so as not to use medications. But it must be borne in mind that prunes are still a fruit, so it cannot be the first complementary food product, too much stress on the baby's digestive system, especially if he has recently turned 4-5 months old.

Therefore, prunes can be introduced into the diet of a child from 4.5 -5.5 months, not earlier, on the recommendation of a doctor, the ideal age is after 6 months, but not as the first product, it is good if prunes puree is the third or fourth product . These are recommendations, but as you understand, everything is individual, so it is necessary to consult a pediatrician before introducing prunes into complementary foods. nine0003

It should also be noted that prune puree is a sweet product, after tasting which the baby may refuse to eat more insipid vegetables and cereals.

If the baby is too small, he has constipation, and he is on breastfeeding, then it is better to eat prune puree for mom, from one 100 gram jar, the effect will be amazing for both.

Prunes and plums are placed together in the complementary feeding scheme, there is a nuance here. If complementary foods are introduced in the summer, when plums are in season, then we first introduce plums into complementary foods. They have a less pronounced laxative effect than prunes. After we introduce prune puree into complementary foods. If 7-8 months fell on the winter, then we introduce prunes into complementary foods, as the most affordable product. We introduce carefully for 5-7 days, carefully monitor the child's stool, which can become liquid. And in the summer, at an older age, we introduce the baby to the plum, we look at the child's reaction to the product for 3-4 days. nine0003

We start giving a new product with 1 teaspoon in the second feeding, gradually increasing the dosage to the prescribed norm, about 70 grams at about 7 months, and 80 grams at 8 months. You should no longer give fruit puree to your child. But it is better to give prune puree up to a year no more than 50-60 grams, because of its laxative properties. We also observe a baby, if such reactions as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain appear on the prune puree, then it is worth temporarily canceling the baby puree, and later reintroducing it. But to select a portion of prunes individually, perhaps without reactions, the baby will be 10-15 grams per week or 10 grams 2-3 times a week, all individually. nine0003

It is necessary to give prune puree 1-2 times a week, we look at the state of the child's stool. If it is very liquid, then we do not give prunes. And if the child has constipation, then you can give prunes until the condition improves, but not more than the prescribed norm per week, which is 100-120 grams for up to 1 year.

It is also important to note that each child has his own laxative product, so it is possible that prune puree will not affect the stool in any way, I repeat, perhaps in rare cases.
Prunes must be cooked and boiled up to a year. After a year, you need to soak the prunes and give fresh prunes puree. Up to 3 years, whole prunes should not be given. Pieces of prunes can be given after 2 years, but they should be boiled and well soaked in water so that they are soft and easy to chew. nine0003

However, the age in relation to whole prunes is individual, because if the child does not know how to chew well, constantly chokes on food, then it is better not to give whole prunes, especially if the dried fruit sticks to the teeth. After a year, the norm is 2-3 prunes per day, as a replacement for sweet foods. Give prunes to a child without seeds.

Prunes Allergy

Children are rarely allergic to prunes. However, it is important to note that modern dried fruits are treated with some chemicals, so they can be allergic. Also, a reaction is possible with individual intolerance or with an allergy to cherries, almonds, cherries, apricots, peaches. nine0003

The most common allergic reaction is skin rash or digestive problems. But other symptoms inherent in allergies are also possible, therefore, when introducing prunes into complementary foods, we observe the child very carefully during the day. Quincke's edema with the use of prunes is very rare.

How to choose and store prunes

Prunes are sold in any store all year round. It can be purchased loose or packaged. The form that is chosen should depend on personal preferences and needs. nine0003

Ideally, it is best to buy prunes that are sold in transparent containers so that you can judge their quality. Dried fruit should be black, uniform matte in color, plump, without gloss, relatively soft and without mold. The taste is sweet with a slight sourness, without bitterness. Shine and brightness is acquired by the product when it is treated with wax or glycerin. It is best to buy prunes with a stone, it is stored longer. Good prunes turn white in places when wet.

If the packaging is opaque, make sure it is tightly sealed so that the prunes do not lose moisture. As with any dried fruit, try to purchase prunes that are not processed with food preservatives such as sulfites. nine0003

Prunes should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place where they will keep for several months. Storing it in the refrigerator will extend the freshness, allowing the prunes to be stored this way for about six months. Regardless of where the dried fruit is stored, you need to make sure that when you open the container, it is tightly sealed with sweat to prevent moisture loss.

Prunes and pesticides

All dried fruits are treated with sulfur dioxide to kill insects. Prunes become so shiny, dark black and oily when treated with glycerin or wax. Prunes acquire a coffee shade if they are treated with caustic soda, such a product can be bitter, contains less nutrients and vitamins. nine0003

Freezing prunes

It makes no sense to freeze dried fruit itself, because if stored properly, it will stand for a year without changing its taste and quality. But you can freeze baby prune puree. Its shelf life is about 3 months. Prune puree freezes well with a large amount of water in baby puree; when defrosting, the structure of the puree can be slightly changed. If there is not enough water, then the prune puree will not freeze completely.

Contraindications

Prunes should not be consumed in case of product intolerance, allergies, obesity, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, high hemoglobin, hypotension, urolithiasis.

How to prepare prunes

Prunes must be boiled before soaking. Then soak in water at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to make the dried fruit plump and soft. It may take less time. Remove pits from prunes, if any. For babies, prunes must be boiled in water for about 5-10 minutes, then beat with a blender until smooth. For children older than 1 year, beat the product in a blender until smooth. nine0003

Proposed method of consuming prunes in baby food

At first, at the beginning of complementary foods, when a child is 7-8 months old and older, he eats prunes as a fruit puree, especially if there are no problems with stool. The older the child gets, the more difficult their complementary foods become. And prunes in a moderate dose are an excellent addition to pilaf, to meat dishes, to cereals, to homemade sugar-free sweets, to pastries, to compotes, jelly, to fermented milk products. Also, do not forget about sauces and side dishes, for example, rice with prunes. nine0003

For example, you can cook turkey with prunes, or braised prunes with lamb, garnished with rosemary.

Drink from prunes

You can make compote, decoction, decoction, jelly and many other good and useful things for a child from prunes. In general, on the Internet it is advised to give compote from prunes almost from 4 months, it seems to me that this is not correct. After all, even this product should not be among the first complementary foods. Therefore, compote can be given to a child after the introduction of prunes into complementary foods, for about 7-8 months. nine0003

In principle, if the product is successfully introduced, then compote can be given the very next day, but not much 10-20 grams, to look at the child's stool. If all is well, then alternate prune compote and prune puree for a week. Well, for example, give prune puree one day a week, one day - prune compote. This will be enough so that the child's stool is not upset, but at the same time fruit puree is beneficial. But I repeat, we look after the child's stool and adjust the portion from the state of the child's stool. nine0003

Dried prunes baby food

Almost all baby food manufacturers make prunes puree. The standard composition is prunes and water, less often just prunes. Therefore, we carefully read the composition of the children's product. Among the producers of prune puree you can find such as Babushkino Lukoshko, Rusty Bolshoi, Frutonyanya, Semper , diapers, Gerber , Marmaluzi 6, 0026 , Bebivita , Fleur Alpina , Theme, Clever, Bellakt, Sami with a mustache, Khaleda, Spoon in the palm etc. The combination of apple and prunes can be offered to us by such brands as Babushkino Lukoshko, Spoon in the palm, Gerber , Fleur Alpina . All mashed potatoes are offered from 4-5 months, for some reason all manufacturers are unanimous in this.

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