My Favorite Secret Ingredient

I thought it was time I spill the beans on my favorite secret ingredient. (And no, it’s not beans!) If you’ve been following for a while, you might already have a good guess at what the answer is. It’s a flavor packed, nutrient dense, versatile ingredient that can enhance any dish, sweet or savory. Say it with me: California Prunes!

Why I Love this Secret Ingredient

California prunes are packed with antioxidants, and they great for bone health, gut health, and your immune system! Most of all, they have an incredible flavor that elevates any dish you add it to. We’ve used prunes in about a dozen recipes, and each one has a great depth of flavor and deliciousness thanks to the prunes.

Some of you may already be thinking prunes, really, that’s the secret ingredient? Yes, really. Just take a look at all of the incredible recipes below and I dare you not to try them! Peruse through all our prune recipes, and let me know in the comments which one you want to try first!

Recipes with a Secret Ingredient

Scroll through below to see all of our prune recipes. Prepare to be blown away by how easy it is to incorporate them into so many different dishes!

Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet and Savory Caramelized Onions

This grilled cheese has become a true fan favorite at nocrumbsleft. The sweet and savory caramelized onions are a Magic Elixir of their own, and you are going to want them on everything. I cannot begin to tell you the number of prune converts we’ve had because of this recipe!

Whole30 Prune Mayo

Speaking of Magic Elixirs, this Whole30 Prune Homemade Mayo is absolutely incredible. We love it on toast, or as the basis for a lovely salad dressing. It’s thick, creamy, naturally sweet and totally addictive.

Chicken Enchiladas

These Chicken Enchiladas are another total crowd pleaser. The sauce is unreal, people. It has such a rich, delicious flavor to it. This recipe is great for a party, a brunch, or just any night of the week because who doesn’t love an enchilada?

Creamy Clementine Dressing

I love our Creamy Clementine Dressing for so many salads. Here, we used it with our Citrus Chopped Salad. It’s a little sweet, super creamy, and totally versatile. This is a dressing dressing to make for meal prep and use throughout the week, if it lasts that long!

Pork Roast with Prune Wine Reduction

This Pork Roast with Prune Wine Reduction is one of those next level recipes I just feel so proud of. It takes a little bit of work, but it is totally worth it. It’s perfect for weekend cooking, and not to mention the smell is incredible!

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Prune Cardamom Cookies

Okay, and now onto the sweet stuff! These gluten free chocolate chip cardamom cookies I practically dream about every night. They are that perfect consistency with a yummy, gooey center that is so addicting. I could eat an entire batch myself!

Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Prune Fudge Cake

This Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Prune Fudge Cake is from This Mess Is Ours, who is also a prune-thusiast! We made it at the nocrumbsleft kitchen and I couldn’t help but share! What’s better than a chocolate cake?

Gluten Free Blondies with a Secret Ingredient

Our Gluten Free Blondies with a Secret Ingredient is the kind of recipe you’d never know was gluten free. It’s an incredible texture, and best served with a scoop of ice cream in my opinion. They are great to bring to a party, and you can amaze people with the secret ingredient in them!

The Perfect Mondae Chocolate Sauce

And speaking of ice cream, this Mondae Chocolate Sauce is a fantastic little treat! Believe it or not, it’s made from the same reduction as the Enchiladas. Instead of adding the heat and tomatoes, you add some fabulous chocolate to create a fudgy and fantastic ice cream topping.

Chocolate Orange Cupcake

These gluten free chocolate orange cupcakes are the perfect dessert. They are moist, fudgy and delicious! Make them for your next holiday party or just for yourself. They are so tasty!

There are so many amazing ways to use prunes in your cooking! Have fun trying them in these recipes, or use it as inspiration to create something of your own. Let me know in the comments what you are making. Happy cooking!