When I bought some early season plums at the store, I was a bit disappointed with their flavor. As cooking, or baking, intensifies the flavor of unripe fruit, my solution was to use them in a cake. The fact that fruit cakes are my favorite, only added to the motivation.
This time I decided to top the cake with the fruit, but also to add some of it to the batter itself. To make things even more interesting, I spiced the cut fruit with a hefty amount of cinnamon, and flavored it with maple syrup, which compensated a bit for their somewhat bland flavor. I also added some almond meal to the batter, which gave the cake a nice crumbly texture, and scattered slivered almonds on top, for some crispy texture and nutty flavor.
The cake came out very tasty, moist and fragrant, with a nice balance of mild sweetness and a bit of acidity from the fruit. Baked in a fairly large pan, and cut into small portions, it is perfect for serving as part of a dessert buffet, or as a snack, with coffee or tea, any time of the day. Try it and enjoy.
Notes:
* Honey, or date syrup, can be used instead of the maple syrup.
Makes: 20
Prep time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
10 medium plums
2 Tbs maple syrup
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 stick (115 grams) butter, soft
2 L eggs
¾ cup sour cream
1¾ cups flour
¼ cup fine almond flour
1 Tbs baking powder
¼ tsp salt
For topping:
1/3 cup slivered almonds
2-3 Tbs maple syrup
1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Line a 12”x8” (20.5 cm x 30 cm) baking pan with baking paper.
2. With a sharp knife, remove 2 large pieces from each side of the pit of each plum, then cut them in two. Cut the remaining fruit into small cubes. Place in a bowl, add the cinnamon and maple syrup and mix well. Set aside, at room temperature, while you make the batter.
3. In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and sour cream and whisk again. Add the flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt. Mix to a fairly thick batter.
4. Separate the small and large plum pieces, and add the small cubes, with the liquids, to the batter. Mix with a spatula and transfer into the pan.
5. Level the top with a spatula and arrange the larger plum pieces on top, pushing them partially into the batter. Scatter the slivered almonds on top and bake for 40 minutes, until the cake top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs on it.
6. Take out of the oven and drizzle the remaining maple syrup on top, while the cake is still hot. Transfer to a rack, to cool to room temperature, before cutting.
What a winning combination. I often forget about plums. 😍
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Thank you Gail, I’m glad you liked the cake. Plums are such great fruit, I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.
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Yes please.
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Thank you Paul! 🙂
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Wow! Lovely cake with fruity & nutty flavors! I like the idea of mixing cinnamon & maple syrup with fruit pieces.
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Thank you Megala, I’m glad you liked the cake. The maple and cinnamon added such nice flavor to the fruit. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Crackling Pork Rinds.
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Love this recipe. Plum season has just passed in these parts, but am thinking this cake would work beautifully with pears. Have penned this down and am very much looking forward to baking this in the not too distant future.
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Thank you Karina, I’m glad you liked the cake. Using pears is a great alternative. I hope you’ll enjoy it. 🙂
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The cake looks wonderful. I enjoyed reading about your disappointment when the early season plums weren’t as tasty as you’d hoped. So often I am frustrated when I buy fruit (often out of season fruit) that is hard and never ripens quite right. I like how (using an analogy with another fruit) you made lemonade when you had lemons – or, to tweak the old saying, you make plum cake when you had plums.
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Thank you Sheryl, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Unfortunately, fruits nowadays are often quite disappointing, as they’re picked too early, and shipped long distances. I’m always on the look for farm stands, but they’re not as available. So it’s good to have a way to use such fruit. Love your paraphrasing! 🙂
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Looks so yummy!! Almonds and plums, what a wonderful combination. I love the addition of the maple syrup. Sounds lovely
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Thank you Angela, I’m glad you liked the cake. It came out so tasty. These ingredients indeed work so well together. 🙂
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Excellent way to use unripened fruit Ronit and besides your cake looks delicious. I’m often tempted to open the container(s) and taste the blueberries or take a bite of a peach before I buy. No – I’ve never done that except at the Farmer’s market where they give you a taste 🙂
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It turned out to be a very tasty save!
I feel the same about buying fruit. Too often they look great, but so disappointing in taste. Definitely looking forward to Farmer’s Market! 🙂
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We love plums but our plum tree has been a poor provider the past two years, but this year looks great. So when those guys are plump and ripe or not we’ll give this one a try.
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Thank you Ron, I’m glad you liked the recipe. In my opinion, plums are underrated fruits. When ripe and in season, they are so good! Hope this year your tree will provide lots of tasty plums! 🙂
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When life hands you lemons..make lemonade! Great idea for the plums. Looks wonderful.
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Thank you Colleen, I’m glad you liked the cake. It was indeed a very tasty “save” on these plums. 🙂
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Looks yum! Can’t wait the plum season!!
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Thank you! We already have some, but as I wrote, they’re still not at their prime. So I’m with you with in waiting for some ripe and tasty ones. 🙂
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Love all the beautiful ingredients used ! Definitely my kinda cake !!
It’s a WINNER !! 👍
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Thank you Jyo, I’m glad you liked the cake. It turned out very tasty. I’m planning on making it again soon. 🙂
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Great idea using those early plums in such a spectacular and scrumptious cake!
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Thank you Sandhya, I’m glad you liked the cake. It was a tasty compensation for the under-ripe plums. 🙂
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oh my goodness, this looks so heavenly. So perfect for warm days too.
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Thank you Myra, I’m glad you liked the cake. I was happy with how it came out. Indeed perfect for the summer. 🙂
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Looks delicious!!!
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Thank you Prachi! 🙂
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I love plum cakes. When we travel to Germany and Austria during the fall, I see them in lots of the bakeries and can’t pass a slice by. You plum cake sounds different and delicious…I must give it a try.
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Thank you Karen, I’m glad you liked the cake. It turned out very tasty. I too love plum cakes, and will definitely be making more this season! 🙂
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Definitely my kind of cake! Looks so delicious!
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Thank you Ursula, I’m glad to know. Summer fruit cakes are the best! 🙂
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