CA GROWN Blog
Discover. Learn. Connect.
Only The Best Birthday Cake Recipe for The Golden State
Meet Them Here
Read Bios »Only The Best Birthday Cake Recipe for The Golden State
Spoiler alert: If someone had baked a birthday cake for California back in 1850, it would’ve tasted a lot like this.
What better way to celebrate the Golden State’s 175th birthday than with a recipe inspired by the very crops that helped shape it? We’re talking about California prunes—one of the earliest crops cultivated here—with a cake recipe that’s been modernized into cupcake form for today’s celebrations. It’s rich. It’s nostalgic. And it’s full of citrus and spice; totally worthy of a birthday celebration for a state that’s led the nation in flavor and innovation since day one.
Let’s dig into the story behind the cake that links California’s past to its present—and why this might just be the most fitting birthday cake the Golden State has ever seen.
A Birthday Cake Built for the Golden State
When you think about California’s beginnings, birthday cake might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But here’s the thing—if we could bottle up the essence of this state into a single dessert, these cupcakes are it.
This cupcake recipe isn’t just good, it’s historical – or at least the inspiration is for your modern spin-off.
Vintage Prune Cake with Glaze
This prune cake is a generations-old recipe that has stood the test of time and for good reason. It’s a no-fail dessert recipe for a cake with glaze. Who doesn’t love a no-fuss slice of cake at the end of a long day?!
Click here for this recipe.
Did you know that California prunes have been a staple crop in the Golden State since the 1850s? Right around the time California officially became a state, prune orchards were already taking root in places like Healdsburg, an area that is part of what would become the backbone of California’s booming agricultural economy.
So while gold may have been the flashier focus in 1850, prunes were quietly becoming gold in their own right—nutrient-dense, shelf-stable, and deeply rooted in the land. And if someone had been baking a birthday cake to celebrate California’s statehood back then, there’s a solid chance prunes would’ve been in the mix.
From Gold Rush to Citrus Boom—The Two Sweetest Eras in California History
It’s no coincidence that the modern version of the original prune cake leans heavily on citrus for its bright, tangy flavor. That is because, in case you didn’t know, California had not one, but two Gold Rushes.
The first, of course, was literal gold. Miners rushed west with dreams of riches and brought with them a wave of population, innovation, and economic expansion.
The second? Citrus.
By the late 1800s, oranges became a booming business in Southern California. It was a different kind of gold—one grown in groves instead of mined from mountains. Citrus helped fuel a second agricultural wave, transforming California’s identity and establishing it as the nation’s produce powerhouse.
So it only makes sense that the birthday cake for the Golden State would honor both eras: with rich, dark California prunes and vibrant, zesty California orange juice.
Why These Cupcakes Matter
Let’s be real: there are thousands of birthday cake recipes out there. But this one isn’t just a cake—it’s a story. A handheld, glazed, spice-kissed tribute to the land that grows more than 400 commodities and leads the country in agricultural innovation.
Our Modern Prune Cupcakes are adapted from our Vintage Prune Cake recipe and updated with ingredients that reflect modern California—extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, and buttermilk for that perfect tang, and, of course, California prunes. These cupcakes are sticky, fluffy, spiced with warm flavors like cinnamon and clove, and topped with a sweet citrus glaze and wine-steeped prunes.
It’s the kind of cake you could’ve served at California’s first birthday… and still proudly serve at its 175th.
And while birthday cake is usually synonymous with frosting and sprinkles, this version flips the script—because California’s never been one to follow the rules. This cake is rich in flavor, big on texture, and delivers all the satisfaction without the sugar overload.
A Toast and a Cupcake for the Golden State
These cupcakes aren’t just for show—they’re for sharing. Make them for your next birthday celebration, your next special occasion, or just because you’re feeling a little extra Golden State pride. They pair beautifully with a glass of sparkling California wine, a mug of locally roasted coffee, or even the California 75 cocktail from our recent 175th birthday celebration article.
You’re Invited! Join California’s Epic 175th Birthday Celebration
This sensational lemon cocktail is as bright and effervescent as the ocean views you’ll see driving down California SR-75 to sunny San Diego. If you are a fan of a classic French 75, you will love our So Cal-inspired spin. This lemon cocktail calls for Quady’s Vya Whisper Dry Vermouth in place of the gin that is in the classic version.
Click here to read this entire article.
These cupcakes are also a great way to start a conversation about California’s agricultural legacy. Because when you serve these cupcakes, you’re not just passing out dessert—you’re handing out history.
Happy Birthday, California—We Baked You a Cake
In a state that’s home to both sourdough starters and startup founders, it only makes sense to bake a cake that’s rooted in tradition and modernized for today.
So whether you’re planning a backyard bash, sending treats to friends, or just marking the occasion quietly with coffee and cupcakes, this birthday cake says it all:
- California’s always been innovative.
- California grows the best stuff.
- And California deserves to be celebrated.
Raise your forks, raise your glasses, and raise your cupcakes—because this kind of celebration only comes around every 175 years.
SAVE THIS CA GROWN SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR YOUR NEXT BAKING SESSION:
Want more ways to celebrate?
Check out our post all about California’s 175th Birthday Celebration, it is full of ideas for more ways to toast to the Golden State—including cocktails, mocktails, and iconic California bites.
Use #CAGROWN and tag @cagrownofficial to show us how you’re baking, sipping, and celebrating.
Modern Prune Cupcakes or Modern Prune Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups California Prunes
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze
- 6 TBSP buttermilk
- 6 TBSP honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 TBSP orange juice
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 4 TBSP unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Prune Topping
- 1 cup California Zinfandel
- 1 ¼ cup California prunes
- 2 TBSP orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
To make as cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place cupcake liners in 4 6-count muffin tins. Roughly chop the prunes and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the olive oil, eggs, and sugar. Fold in the chopped prunes, then add in the buttermilk and ¼ cup of the orange juice. Gently stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Use a spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture, just until evenly combined, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Divide the batter amongst the prepared cupcake lines, filling each no more than ¾ of the way to the top. Bake 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick pulls clean from the center.
- While cupcakes are baking, make the glaze and steeped prune topping.
- In a small saucepan, mix the buttermilk, honey, orange zest, orange juice, granulated and powdered sugars, and baking soda. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat. Melt in the butter and add vanilla extract, stirring to combine, then keep warm.
- In a separate sauce pan, combine the wine, prunes, orange juice, and orange zest. Heat to a simmer and cook 2-3 minutes, until the prunes have softened.
- Once the cupcakes have baked, remove tins from the oven and poke each cake several times with a fork. Spoon warm glaze over the cupcakes, allow to cool slightly, then repeat two more times.
- Top each cupcake with a wine-steeped prune, and serve warm!
To make as a cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 (23cm x 33cm) pan
- Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Then use a wire whisk to mix well in a separate bowl.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 45 minutes or until baked through.
- While cake is baking, combine all the glaze ingredients and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm until cake is done.
- Remove pan from the oven and poke several times with a fork. Pour the warm glaze over the cake and serve.
