Description
Enjoy this moist and flavorful German Plum Cake, or Zwetschgenkuchen, topped with a buttery, crunchy streusel. It captures the essence of late summer harvest with fresh plums nestled into a tender cake base. This is the perfect simple yet elegant dessert to share.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups fresh plums, halved and pitted
- For the Streusel:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Whisk together the 1 cup flour, baking powder, and salt for the cake batter. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing on low speed until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.
- Arrange the halved plums cut-side up over the batter in a decorative pattern.
- Prepare the streusel: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the plums and batter.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use firm, ripe plums for the best texture. Italian prune plums work well.
- For an extra layer of flavor, dust the finished cake with powdered sugar before serving.
- If you prefer a yeast-based dough base, adjust recipe accordingly, but this tender cake base is quicker.
- Sara suggests playing with the spice; try adding a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the streusel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg