A fine textured crumb with a smooth mouthfeel. This chocolate prune gingerbread loaf is light, moist, not too sweet and well flavoured without being overly spicy. It keeps really well too, so ideal for lunchboxes as well as picnics and afternoon tea.
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Summer finally arrived a couple of weeks ago and cooking, especially cakes, suddenly didn’t seem quite so appealing. I had, however, a Transition meeting to attend that Monday evening where we were all meant to bring along some food to share. So despite the heat on Sunday, I made a cake – a prune cake from Unwrapped *. It sounded rather yummy and it smells wonderful.
Chocolate Prune Gingerbread Loaf Cake
Gingerbread is one of the easiest cakes to make. It uses the melting method, which means there’s no need to cream butter and sugar together. That’s usually the bit that takes the time, especially if you’ve forgotten to take the butter out of the fridge in plenty of time to soften.
The only additional step to melting and stirring, is chopping up the prunes. And that only takes a minute. So although this chocolate prune gingerbread loaf cake takes a while to bake, hands on time is ten minutes at most.
The original recipe uses buttermilk. I used a mix of Greek yoghurt and water instead which works really well. But it’s entirely up to you which you go for. You could, of course, use kefir. It works just as well as buttermilk.
The baking cake scented the whole house for ages, so I forgave it for turning the kitchen into a steam bath. The cake is wonderful. It has a fine texture and a really smooth mouthfeel. It’s light, moist, not too sweet and well flavoured without being overly spicy. If you like gingerbread, you’re sure to like this chocolate prune version.
It also keeps really well. I know this because we got to take the remaining quarter home with us. I put it in a tin, then forgot about it for a few days. When I rediscovered it, it was not only entirely edible, but even more delicious.
A Trip To Bath
I’m off to Bath with CT and a friend this morning for a couple of days. I hardly know Bath at all, so I’m looking forward to taking in the sights. However, this is not a simple sightseeing tour, but a much anticipated day spent with Rachel Demuth at her vegetarian cookery school where we will be making Middle Eastern mezze.
Meanwhile CT will wander the streets in search of anything interesting in the botanical line.
Other Prune Recipes You Might Like
- Fruit loaf with prunes, walnuts & honey
- How to make your own prunes
- Prune porridge topped with toasted walnuts & cinnamon
- Prune rock cakes
- Quinoa and prune veggie burgers
- Spiced prune chocolate pots
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make this chocolate prune gingerbread, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate the recipe. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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Choclette x
Chocolate Prune Gingerbread Loaf – The Recipe
Chocolate Prune Gingerbread Loaf
Ingredients
- 125 g unsalted butter
- 100 g dark chocolate (I used Maya Gold)
- 2 tbsp treacle
- 90 g dark muscovado sugar
- 175 g wholemeal flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 125 g pitted prunes – finely chopped
- 1 large egg (I used a duck egg)
- 100 g Greek yoghurt (or use 150ml buttermilk and no water)
- 50 ml water
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan together with the chocolate, treacle and sugar. Leave to cool slightly,125 g unsalted butter, 100 g dark chocolate, 2 tbsp treacle, 90 g dark muscovado sugar
- Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a mixing bowl.175 g wholemeal flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), 2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Toss the prunes pieces in the flour. This helps to stop them sinking.125 g pitted prunes – finely chopped
- Beat the egg into the chocolate mixture.1 large egg
- Make a well in the centre, pour in the chocolate mixture and gently stir together.
- Mix the yoghurt and water together, then carefully stir until everything is just about incorporated.100 g Greek yoghurt, 50 ml water
- Pour into a 900g (2lb) lined loaf tin (I use a silicone mould inside a tin).
- Bake in a preheated oven at 160℃ (140℃ fan,320℉, Gas 3) for 50 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out more or less clean.
- Leave in the tin to cool for ten minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
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Choclette says
Johanna – I so understand what you mean – looking forward to something that just doesn’t turn out as good as you expected it to be – I seem to do this rather a lot. I was happy with this one though, although neither the chocolate nor the prunes really came through as distinctive flavours, they added an extra something that I thought made a great whole.
Johanna GGG says
this looks great – I have tried that recipe once and it wasn’t what I expected so I was disappointed – neither enough chocolate taste nor prune taste but I think the spiciness was great
Choclette says
Thank you MaryMoh
MaryMoh says
This cake must be very moist and delicious with added prunes. Thanks for sharing.
Choclette says
Thanks Lucie – Bath is indeed a beautiful city.
Emmalene – I haven’t tried Nigella’s version – will have to put that on my ever growing list. Yes I did mean Transition Town – we’re in Liskeard, Cornwall. Are you a part of one too?
Liz – Thank you, I did indeed enjoy – very much.
Sushma – Thank you, you always say such lovely things.
Chele – It may have looked rich, but it was actually quite light.
Janice – This was my first adventure with prunes and chocolate – I’ll be using this combination again.
BG – It always makes me feel better if I can kid myself it might be good for me!
Bridgett – Thank you, I did enjoy Bath.
CityHippy – Thank you, I did have fun and am trying to write up a post now. The course was really really good.
Margaret – Thank you for the buttermilk tip. Bath is a lovely city and we really enjoyed our trip.
Joanna – Thanks for the suggestion for CT, but we didn’t get it until we were back home. As for prunes, I have to admit, I have no idea as to the variety. I had a packed of prunes from somewhere in my cupboard and just opened them and used them. I take it, there is a difference in taste and quality – oh so much to learn.
Celia – I do have some photos, but never ever enough – multi tasking is just not my thing!
Kate – Good to hear from another Transitioner. Our group has been going for about two years or so and I’ve been on the core group for most of that time. That sounds very grand, but I don’t really do a lot as have little time. Think we probably need to meet, then I can give you some sourdough, talk about Transition and rave to you about how wonderful Bath is.
CC – It was a really good cake – the prunes were actually quite subtle, but definitely added something.
Suzi – I am now a huge fan of using yogurt in baking and don’t see why sheep or goat yogurt wouldn;t work as well. Can I ask what your role is viz Ivan Day – intriguing?
Oxslip – We were there such a short time, we didn’t have the opportunity to sample the baths, but I’ve heard from others that it’s a great way to spend time. The course was so good, I now want to go back for another one – shall start saving now. We did book for this quite a long way in advance.
Choclette says
This comment has been removed by the author.
oxslip says
Oh lucky you, I’ve been trying to go on one of those courses but whenever I look they are all full. If you get time off I think there are walk-in cheapies at the Spa in the evening, so you can bob about in the pool on the roof and look at the view. Enjoy it.
The Caked Crusader says
Tempting cake – I’ve had prunes and spice in chocolate cakes but not together. Bet the flavours were incredible!
Suzi says
This looks wonderful – as ever!
I love the idea of using yoghurt instead of butter milk. I try to avoid cow’s milk where at all possible, but I’m yet to come across a sheep or goat’s buttermilk. Using yoghurt would mean I could eat it with no worries.
Grazing Kate says
Hiya – love this recipe – as you say, maybe not perfect hot weather cake, but damn fine all the same! Interested to hear you’re involved in Transition – I’ve just become involved in my local one – only two weeks ago – would be really interested to know what your involvement is and how far down the line your group is. I’m partic interested in the food side of things (Surprise!). I lived in Bath for about 6 years, got married there and had both my children there, so it holds a special place in my heart – I would recommend places to visit, but as I moved away 7 years ago, it’s probably out of date info! Would like to hear your info about Transition Towns – will chat later.
http://grazingkate.blogspot.com
Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial says
Gorgeous combo of flavours, Choclette! Middle Eastern mezze – I hope you get to take some photos to share! 🙂
Joanna says
CT could visit Special Plants just outside Bath. That cake sounds just wonderful, I love prunes enrobed in chocolate, so this sounds like one for me to try when the weather cools down a bit. Do you use french agen prunes or american ones? I like the french ones with their aniseedy almost taste.
Margaret says
I love Bath – such a beautiful city.
To make a substitute for buttermilk you could also use half natural yogurt and half semi-skimmed milk (tip courtesy of Nigella!). Works for me.
Love the cake and recipe you have blogged.
cityhippyfarmgirl says
Oh have fun at the the cooking school, that sounds great. Looking forward to reading a post about it! Hmm, middle eastern food…
The cake looks delicious. Fruit and chocolate- it doesn’t get much better.
Bridgett says
The cake looks so rich and delicious! I love it. Enjoy Bath!
Brownieville Girl says
Really looks lovely, and much more healthy than an ordinary chocolate cake. I love a cake that keeps well.
Janice says
choc and prunes is such a great combo, looks fab.
Chele says
Ooooooh – the colour of that cake looks so rich and naughty! Love it ;0)
Sushma Mallya says
It looks lovely & perfectly done..
Liz says
Chocolate and prunes – yummy. Haven’t been to Bath for years – enjoy
Emmalene says
BTW do you mean Transition Town meeting?! If so where are you?
Emmalene says
Lovely-dates would be good too, but would give a slightly different flavour. Have you also tried (you probably have) Nigella’s chocolate gingerbread?
Lucie says
This looks a wonderful bake – beautifully presented too. Enjoy Bath – it is a lovely City.