Thursday, October 9, 2008

A plum by any other name....

.... is still a plum to me. Apparently the official title for this loaf (or quick bread) is Italian Prune Nut Bread. It calls for Italian prunes.... or prune plums as they are also called...but I finally found out that they are the same little plums we used to pick off the backyard trees in any neighbourhood in Kamloops when we were kids ...

The grocery store had a very small display of them... I bought them all. I'm freezing some for when I want this loaf and there is two feet of snow on the ground. I'm also baking two more today. It's that good!! One of the tastiest loaves I have ever baked.











Italian Prune Nut Bread
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt ( I never use it because I used salted butter)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sour cream (I used fat free yogurt)
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 cups Italian prunes, pitted and chopped in 1/2 inch pieces.
1 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon and baking soda.
Blend sour cream and orange peel...
.. add to creamed mixture alternately with dry ingredients.
Stir til blended.
Add prunes and nuts; mix well.
Divide between two greased loaf pans (9x5x3).
Bake at 350F for 50-55 minutes
.... or until tooth pick inserted in centre comes out clean.
Cool 10 mins. in pan
Remove from pan and cool thoroughly on rack.

............ options .... I added a bit of ginger, all spice and nutmeg to the cinnamon. Be careful with nutmeg and all spice..just a tiny "sprink" goes a long way! The nuts in mine were walnuts and I lightly toasted them before chopping. I halved the recipe for my test loaf.... but it was so good I will be making more right away. Double wrapping with foil and plastic keeps loaves as fresh as the day you bake them. Just thaw and enjoy later. Last week I sliced an egg nog loaf from Christmas baking..... perfect for a surprise treat at tea time ...

Mennonite Girls Can Cook is the site where I found the recipe .... look under quick breads if the link doesn't take you immediately to the page. Have a look at all the other wonderful recipes while you are there ..... I love the beautiful photos. It seems that Mennonite Girls can indeed cook .... and they all seem to be pretty amazing photographers as well.

11 comments:

Judy said...

Your plum loaf looks wonderful! So glad I finally shared the recipe...after keeping it to myself all these years. I think I shall have to bake another batch as well...saw they still had Italian prunes at the farm market.

Anonymous said...

Where did you get this recipe from?

BumbleVee said...

AARRRGGGHHHHHH!! thanks anon. I was so busy putting my pics and info on both of my blogs.. I did put a link on the other site right away... ...but, somehow totally neglected to do that on this one.

I've rectified things.... the link is on here as well now....

Anonymous said...

Thank you, bumblevee! I saw your kind comment on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook, but failed to see the credits on here. I was wondering if possibly you forgot to mention it. All Good!

Windlost said...

Oh gosh Vee - that loaf looks wonderful and very autumnal. Is it delicious?? Hope all is well with you and you are enjoying our cool weekend!

We are out of town but coming back Sunday so David can go to the football game (and I can do some raking). Hope your weekend is nice...

xo Terri

Windlost said...

Hi Vee - thanks for the notes. I really must take down that lovely recipe. I guess I could exchange real plums (since you bought all the Italian ones...). ; }

That Mennonite site looks good too - will have a closer look and share it around. I am not as prolific a baker as you, but when I do make something,I like it to be reliable and insanely good!

I think I will try Flickr. Just have to figure out how to make small sized photos on my iMac for uploading. I swear a new computer operating system leaves you feeling like you have two left hands...

Stay well, Terri ox

Susie said...

This loaf looks yummy. It's bright color reminds me of cranberry bread :)
Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Gina said...

Looks wonderful Vee! thanks for sharing :D

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Slurp!!

Wen we had a meal the uther week wiv Granny an Grandad, we had Pine Nut Cayke for dizert. It waz like a tart an waz yum. It waz an Italyon restront an we keep googlin to find sumthing simlar, but the pikchers all look like normal cakes. This waz like a bakewell tart. Enyway, it waz yum. If yu ever find sumthing calld a pine nut tart or cayke or torte, pleez let us kno!!!! :@)

Windlost said...

I was telling David's Mum about this recipe (she's an Albertan) and she knew all about those plums! Amazing. I learn so much every day on these blogs! I am printing out this recipe...
xox Terri

Louise said...

Wonderful loaves you have been making. I am very impressed at how you bake to freeze as well. x