Plum cake has historically referred to an early type and style of fruitcake in England since around 1700.[8] Raisins and currants were used, which the English referred to as plums since around 1660.[8] Plum cakes during this period were raised by whipping air into the cake batter, rather than by the use of yeast.[8] In Great Britain, the term plum cake still typically refers to what most Americans refer to as a type of fruitcake, and the term plum originally referred to prunes, raisins or grapes in England.[9][1] In Old English, the term plūme was "from medieval Latin pruna, from Latin prunum, which equated to prune.[10] Plum pudding is a similar dish prepared with similar ingredients, cooked by steaming the mixture rather than baking it