Depending on where you are in the world, plums can come into season anywhere from now until the autumn. Here in England, our local plums should start arriving in the shops as early as in July but I’m afraid I struggle to wait that long to make this tasty plum cake recipe. It’s been a family favourite for years.
A Quick and Easy Recipe
The batter for this easy to make plum cake recipe is literally the work of moments – then all you have to do is spread the batter in the pan, lay some sliced plums on top, sprinkle with sugar and wait for it to bake. This can be harder than it sounds as the smell while it is baking is pretty much irresistible.
While I originally blogged this plum cake recipe back in 2013, it has been in my repertoire for a long time. Back then, I used to put halved plums on top of the cake – which was nice but didn’t look nearly as pretty as the fanned out slices. It’s funny how recipes can evolve like that – how you can suddenly think of an idea which transforms a favourite recipe into something even more special.
Although this plum cake recipe is quick and easy, it tastes a lot more complex. One of the things I like best about it is the spices. Cinnamon, ginger and ground nutmeg combine to make it fragrant, rich and delicious. It keeps well for a couple of days at room temperature – in fact the spices seem deepen and taste even better. The plums will start to sink a little after a day though, so I recommend making this cake on the morning of the day you want to serve it the first time.
Tips For Making Easy Plum Cake
The number of plums you need for the cake will vary depending on their size and shape. I’ve used several different varieties for this cake and I always seem to need between eight and twelve plums.
The batter is fairly thick, and when you are putting it in the pan, you may think there is not enough. If you are using the 8 inch (20 cm) pan called for I promise that there is. Be patient and spread the batter carefully with a spatula or knife.
How Should I Serve This Plum Cake Recipe?
Spiced Plum Cake is delicious served warm with cream, ice cream (my personal favourite) or as a traditional British ‘pudding’ with custard. I always hope for leftovers as it is beautiful with a cup of tea for breakfast. It will keep well at room temperature for a couple of days and while the plums may sink and wrinkle a bit with keeping, the flavour of my Spiced Plum Cake just gets better and better.
Easy Plum Cake – Printable Recipe
Easy Plum Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1¾ cups all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup buttermilk buttermilk is best but ordinary milk will work
- 2 to 3 large plums, pitted and sliced (wait until the last minute to do this or the plums will go brown)
- 2 tablespoons Demerera sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (170°C).
- Grease the bottom and sides of an 8 inch loose bottomed cake pan.
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together.
- Beat the eggs and vanilla into the creamed mixture.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the batter and mix just until blended.
- Pour in the buttermilk and beat until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. The batter will be thick and you will have to spread it to fill the pan, coaxing it out to the edges. Smooth the top of the batter so it is even.
- Arrange the plum slices over top of the batter in a circular fashion, leaving a bit of space between each slice.
- Sprinkle the Demerera sugar over the top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- When the pan is cool enough to handle, release the springs of the cake pan and gently remove the sides. The bottom of the cake pan can be gently removed by sliding a knife underneath the cake and lifting the cake on to a wire rack using a large slice. However I often cheat and leave the cake on the metal base for serving to avoid any risk of the cake not coming off in one piece.
did you make this recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Hadia says
The cake looks so tempting, April. You know I am a big fan of your desserts and I absolutely adore your cakes. Pinning to try later!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Hadia! What a lovely compliment! Please let me know what you think when you try the recipe. It really is a favourite at our house 🙂
Jenny says
I love plums but have never used them in a cake before. This sounds delicious.
April Harris says
Thank you, Jenny. If you love plums, you will definitely love this cake 🙂
Elodie says
This looks delicious. I know what I’ll be having on my next cheat day! x
April Harris says
Thank you, Elodie 🙂 I hope you love it as much as we do!
VAL ( cookies addicte ) says
Ce gâteau de prunes a l’ air délicieux, la cannelle doit apporter LE petit truc en plus !
VAL ( cookies addicte )
April Harris says
Merci beaucoup, Val! J’aime bien la cannelle, especiallement dans ce gâteau 🙂
Winnie says
Plums are my favorite fruits during summer 🙂 And I looooooove baking with them.
I think that in about 3 weeks we’re going to have them here.
It’s a wonderful easy cake April. I’d love a slice even now (and it’s after midnight)
April Harris says
Thank you, Winnie! It really is an easy cake to make and so tasty too 🙂
swathi says
Delicious, need to try it, my kids will love it.
April Harris says
Thank you, Swathi! It really is a family favourite 🙂
christine says
Sounds delicious. I only started experimenting w/ baking w/ plums last summer. I can’t wait to add this one to the list when we have in season plums!
April Harris says
Thank you, Christine. I hope you and yours enjoy it as much as we do at our house 🙂
Debi at Life Currents says
I love plums during the summer. They are so wonderfully moist and flavorful. This is the perfect way to use them. This is on the must make soon list!
April Harris says
I love plums too, Debi! There are so many different varieties, all delicious in their own way. I’m really glad you like the recipe and I hope you love it as much as we do!
Catherine says
Dear April, I would love a slice of this delicious cake! Perfect for sitting out on the back porch on a summer’s night. xo, Catherine
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Catherine! What a lovely way to enjoy this cake – it really is perfect for summer! xo
Elizabeth says
Mmm yum! I make something similiar but it’s of Hungarian origin. A gorgeous flavour!
April Harris says
Thank you, Elizabeth! It’s so interesting when recipes show up in different cultures with little variations. I’d be interested to try your recipe too 🙂
Edye says
I’ve never heard of a heard of a plum cake before! This look yummy 🙂
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
April Harris says
Thank you, Edye. It’s a really tasty way to use up plums when you have a lot of them. Blessings!
Lisa Russo says
Oh that looks so very yummy indeed!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Lisa 🙂