This plum cake is a delightful treat that combines a tender, buttery dough with juicy, sweet plums. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying it with a cup of coffee in the afternoon or serving it as a special dessert after dinner. The tartness of the plums pairs beautifully with the slightly sweet cake, making each bite a delicious experience.
Dough Ingredients:
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons sugar (approximately 100g)
- 8g vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 8g baking powder (about 2 teaspoons)
- 7 tablespoons butter (approximately 140g), softened
- 1 egg
Topping:
- Fresh plums, pitted and halved (the amount depends on the size of your baking pan)
- Extra sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional, for sprinkling on top)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a baking pan or line it with parchment paper. A round or square 9-inch pan works well for this recipe.
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, and baking powder. Stir to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Add the softened butter and the egg to the dry ingredients. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix the ingredients until they form a crumbly dough. The dough should hold together when pressed but should not be too sticky.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Take the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, making sure to create an even layer.
- Arrange the halved plums on top of the dough, cut side up. Place them close together, as they will shrink slightly during baking.
- If desired, sprinkle a little extra sugar and a pinch of cinnamon over the plums for added sweetness and flavor.
- Bake:
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- The plums should be soft and slightly caramelized on top.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
This plum cake is a wonderful combination of buttery, crumbly dough and sweet, juicy plums. It’s simple to make yet delivers a deliciously satisfying dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar, this plum cake is sure to be a hit with family and friends.