Yes. This is exactly as delicious as it looks, and as elegant, too.
To be very honest, it is one of the best plum desserts that I’ve baked this season, and I’ve baked (and happily eaten) my share.
The Austrians call this plum cake Zwetschgenkuchen. Traditionally, the cake has a yeasted batter but this streamlined version uses baking powder. The whole thing comes together quickly. You prepare the batter and spread it in a thin layer on the bottom of a springform pan. You arrange the sliced plums in concentric circles on top of the batter. You sprinkle on a little sugar, and you bake. As the cake bakes, the batter rises to embrace the plums and your cake looks like a work of art.
My neighbor came into my kitchen just after I had finished this cake and remarked that it looked like something one would find offered in a fine bakery. And it does. The generous slices of dark red plums look like jewels studding the light golden brown vanilla-flavored cake layer.
Heaven.
This is the peak of the plum season, so you have access to choice fruit at the moment. The Santa Rosa plums created by Luther Burbank are considered the best of the plums, but you have all sorts of tasty choices.
Here is the recipe for this plum cake.
[mpprecipe-recipe:144]
This recipe is adapted from one that appears on the Milk Street site. Here is the link: Milk Street’s Plum Cake.
Just made plum cake. Used peaches instead. Used almond extract sine I had no vanilla. Cake was baked in a 7 inch pan. Will use an 8 inch next time. Cake tasted fantastic. Than you.
I’m delighted that you enjoyed the cake. I just came home from the farmer’s market and it looks like the stone fruits are winding down. Hate that!
Gorgeous! Thank you!
Hi, Samantha. I always appreciate receiving your notes. Hope you make this. It is delicious!
This was a delicious little cake, really very much like Austrian Pastry. The ripe plums are so good with the cake, and it’a good for afternoon coffee or tea!….I’m going to make it for guests this week….
Hello, Marion. I’m delighted to hear that you made and enjoyed the cake. I think it is a delicious cake. And…it gives you one more excuse to eat some of this year’s crop of wonderful plums!
I loved this Plum cake,_ not only beautiful to look at , but easy as pie to make and the plums look and taste delicious! One of my favorites now.!
Thank you. I agree with you. This is a very special cake.