Clumsy Crafter: Plum Cake

This is a cake that I grew up on. Seriously. Everytime I visited my grandparents, Granny would have a plum cake waiting for us. This is a cake I dream about. Last year I finally asked my mom for the recipe. I had never asked for it before because I thought that since this cake was so delicious, it must be the world's hardest recipe. I about fell over when she emailed me the recipe. If you can do a box mix cake, you can do this. If you can't do a box mix cake then you need to still make this. Your family will think you are a genius.

Granny's Plum Cake - makes one bundt cake

1 Cup vegetable Oil
3 Cups Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs

Blend the above items well.

Sift the following items together. (note: I don't shift... evil, I know... but this is what the recipe says. Proceed without shifting at your own risk, it's still delicious!)

2 Cups All-purpose flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking soda
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon (heaping teaspoon)
1 Teaspoon Cloves (heaping teaspoon)

1. Add all ingredients to first mixture and blend well.
2. Next add the following ingredients.

1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Small Jars of Plum Baby Food (Infant Size) Strained Plums
(Plum Baby Food can be hard to find. You could always put pitted plums in the food processor or buy a different baby food. We tried blueberry Pear last time we made this cake and it was good but a little sweet. Try any flavor you want. A relative of mine uses carrot baby food to make a quick carrot cake.)

1 Cup Pecans

3. Pour into a Greased & Floured Tube or Bunt Pan
4. Bake about 1 hour at 350 degrees. Test for doneness at about 40 to 45 minutes.
5. Remove from an after about 10 minutes

I layed a stencil over the top of the cake and then sprinkled powdered sugar on top to make a design. However, I didn't like how it turned out and cut it before taking it to the party I had made it for. A paper doily really works better than a stencil. But, it never hurts to try.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP:
When the cake is cool, cut and piece and...... SLATHER the sucker with Parkay butter spread.

Q: Does it have to be Parkay?
A: Do you need air to survive? Yes, it has to be Parkay. It will make all your dreams come true.

Making this recipe this weekend helped me notice just a few differences between my mom and I

#1. She shifts, I don't even own a shifter.
#2. She uses a ruler. I just eyeball it
#3. She uses patterns to sew. She bought me a pattern this weekend. I now own two patterns.
#4. She doesn't like my minivan. I love my minivan. Yes, Em.. I LOVE my minivan.
#5. She measures her spices. I um.. really don't.... see pics below

My mom's way: