Sugar Plum Bread

Name: Sugar Plum Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices).
Ingredients: 1 cup pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped; 3/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided; 2 tablespoons shortening; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

I grew up with my Grandma Mitchell’s irresistible prune bread. We slathered it with butter and ate it with cottage cheese and fresh fruit for a simple breakfast. And it always makes an appearance at the holidays! —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 cup pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
2 tablespoons shortening
1 large egg, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, combine dried plums, water and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat; let stand until plumped, about 10 minutes. Drain plums, reserving fruit and liquid. Measure liquid, adding enough water to yield 1/2 cup.
Cream shortening and remaining granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in egg. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with cooking liquid; fold in cooled dried plums (batter will be thick).
Transfer batter to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 40-45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Test Kitchen tips

If dried plums (prunes) aren't to your liking, try substituting dried apricots.

Add a little lemon zest to softened butter and slather on top.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 202 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Sugar Plum Bread in Taste of Home November 2017

Reviews

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Carol

Nov 1, 2017

This bread is delicious, and pretty low in calories too. I followed the recipe exactly as written. I used "Sugar In the Raw" turbinado sugar crystals for the coarse sugar to sprinkle on top. It was great, especially slightly toasted with cream cheese.
snmckey

Oct 23, 2017

This bread is wonderful. I followed the recipe as written and it came out wonderful (in high altitude).