Can I Use A Different Type Of Sugar Instead Of Demerara Sugar?

Yes, you can use a different type of sugar. Demerara sugar adds a unique caramel-like flavor to the cake. Brown, muscovado, or castor sugar can be great alternatives. They will bring their own distinct taste to your easy summer plum cake recipe. Remember to adjust the quantities based on the sweetness profile of the sugar you're going to use.

Can I Use Precooked Canned Plums In A Plum Cake?

Yes, you can use precooked canned plums when baking a plum cake. While fresh plums are recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use precooked canned plums as a substitute. Remove the pits and drain any excess liquid before incorporating them into the cake. Keep in mind that the texture and juiciness of canned plums may differ slightly from fresh ones.

Can I Substitute The Eggs In A Cake For Dietary Reasons?

Yes, you can replace the eggs in our plum cake recipe. There are suitable alternatives apple sauce, mashed bananas, or aquafaba (chickpea juice) can be used as egg replacements. Each substitution may slightly alter the texture and taste of the cake, so choose the option that suits the flavor profile.

Is There A Vegan Option For This Recipe?

Yes, there is a vegan version of our easy summer plum cake. You just need to make a few ingredient substitutions to accommodate a plant-based diet. Replace the butter with coconut oil or rice bran oil. Use plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk. An egg replacement could be apple sauce, mashed banana, or aquafaba (chickpea juice).

My Irresistibly Easy Summer Plum Cake Recipe A Seasonal Celebration

In the realm of culinary brilliance, few things capture the essence of a warm summer day quite like a slice of our easy summer plum cake. This seasonal celebration of flavors combines the juicy tartness of fresh summer plums with the delicate sweetness of demerara sugar.

Creating a symphony of texture and taste that will leave everyone wanting our recipe. As a skilled and proficient chef, I am excited to share with you my irresistibly easy summer plum cake recipe.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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This recipe was born from my childhood, long summer days eating fresh plums from my grandmother’s orchard. She would make the most amazing desserts using those delicious plums. Summer plum cake was one of them.

My Irresistibly Easy Summer Plum Cake Recipe

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Easy Summer Plum Cake Ingredients Deep Dive

Understanding the role and characteristics of each ingredient is key to achieving the perfect plum cake. In this deep dive, we will explore the magical world of the ingredients that make this cake a true summer sensation.

From the succulent summer plums to the delicate vanilla extract, every element has a crucial part to play in crafting this dessert. Together we will unravel the secrets behind these ingredients, unlocking the potential to create a cake that captures the essence of the season.

Cake Base

50 g Butter softened
¼ cup Sugar Demerara (raw).
10-12 Plums (Black Doris, Omega, Purple King, or Damson).

Cake Batter

150g Butter salted, softened.
¾ cup Sugar Demerara (raw).
3 Eggs size 6 room temp.
1½ cups Flour self-raising.
¼ cup Milk warm.
1 tsp Vanilla extract.

How to season food is an art that combines creativity, intuition, and a deep understanding of flavors. That transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary masterpieces.

*^{Ingredients For My Easy Summer Plum Cake Recipe}*

Fresh Summer Plums – Choose plums that are perfectly ripe yet firm to the touch, as they will lend a burst of natural tarty sweetness and vibrant color to your cake. The succulent texture and tangy notes of these seasonal gems will bring your baking to life like never before. Great varieties for baking are Black Doris, Omega, Purple King, or Damson.

Delicious Summer Plums — *^{Delicious Summer Omega Plums}*

Demerara Sugar – The subtle natural sweetness of demerara sugar will add sugary notes to your plum cake. This golden-brown, slightly sticky sugar imparts a subtle molasses flavor, adding a professional touch. The combination of the plums’ tartness and the sugar’s caramel-like sweetness creates a balance that is nothing short of perfection.
Butter – Creating a truly indulgent cake experience requires butter. We recommend using salted butter to enhance the overall flavor profile. Its creaminess adds a luxurious touch to the cake, resulting in a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
Eggs – The magic of hen’s eggs. This humble yet essential ingredient provides structure and moisture, giving our plum cake a tender fluffy that is the hallmark of a true classic cake. We are using size 6 eggs.
Full Cream Milk – This delicious dairy liquid brings moisture to the cake, enhancing its decadence. The milk acts as a secret weapon, ensuring that each slice of the easy summer plum cake is moist and delightful.
Self-Raising Flour – Our cake’s foundation lies with self-raising flour. This ingredient eliminates the need for additional leavening agents, making the baking process a breeze. The flour’s unique composition ensures a light and airy texture, allowing the plums to shine through.
Vanilla Extract – To enhance the aroma and add a touch of warmth, a splash of vanilla extract is added to the batter. The vanilla extract acts as a flavor enhancer. We prefer to use vanilla extract instead of essence.
Fresh Whipped Cream – My favorite with fruit-based desserts! whipped cream, with its subtle sweetness, serves as the perfect counterpoint to the tartness of the plums. It adds a decadent touch.

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Easy Summer Plum Cake Recipe

Preheat your oven to 165°C (329°F). For a convection oven 155°C (311°F).

Preparing The Plums – Wash the fresh summer plums thoroughly, and remove the pits or stones. Removing the stones from fresh plums is a straightforward process. Here is a simple method to remove the stones.

Pitting The Plums

With a sharp knife, make a shallow cut lengthwise along the seam of the plum, starting from the stem end and stopping at the opposite end. The cut should be just deep enough so you can feel the stone inside.
Gently hold the plum with both hands and twist the halves in opposite directions. The plum should naturally separate into two halves, with one side containing the stone.
To remove the stone, you have a few options. You can use a sharp knife and carefully cut out the stone in a circular motion. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon or a Parisienne cutter (melon baller) to scoop the stone out.

Place the pitted plums into a bowl and sprinkle over the first measure of demerara sugar. Toss the plums so the sugar evenly coats them. Let them sit for a couple of minutes while you prepare the cake tin.

Prepping The Baking Tin – Butter the sides of a 24cm or 9.4-inch springform cake tin. Line the base with parchment paper and butter it. Place the sugared plums into the cake tin with the cut sides facing up.

Chefs Pro Tip — Place the pitted plum cut side up in the baking tin will promote an even distribution of the batter throughout the cake. Using this technique, the plums can retain their juicy goodness, imparting a flavorful moistness to the final cake.

Making The Cake Batter

Cake Batter – In a steel bowl add the softened butter and the second measure of demerara sugar. Cream the butter and sugar until the sugar starts to dissolve. Add the eggs, mixing after each addition, mix in the vanilla extract.

Sift in 2 cups of self-raising flour and gently fold it into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can lead to a dense texture. Slowly add 1/2 cup of full cream milk to the batter, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Lightly tap the cake tin on the benchtop so the batter settles into the tin.

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Baking And Plating

Place the cake into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the cake tin and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Finished Easy Summer Plum Cake Recipe — *^{Finished Easy Summer Plum Cake}*

Portioning – Cut your easy summer plum cake into 12 slices. Serve it with a generous quenelle of freshly whipped cream, allowing its creamy goodness to complement the flavors of the cake.

Our easy summer plum cake is an irresistible masterpiece that encapsulates the spirit of summer Its combination of fresh summer plums and demerara sugar results in a cake that is a true celebration of the senses. As you savor each bite, allow yourself to be transported to a world of culinary magic, where the flavors of summer are tingling your scenes.

Chefs Pro Tip — Baking A Summer Plum Cake

Measure Accurately – Use precise measurements for both dry and liquid ingredients. Invest in a reliable set of kitchen scales for more accurate measurements. Baking is a science, and accurate measurements are crucial for success.
Bring Ingredients To Room Temperature – Allow ingredients such as butter, eggs, and milk to come to room temperature before incorporating them into the batter. this can prevent the cake from getting too cold and splitting or curdling. Also, it will promote better emulsification and even cooking.
Preheat Your Oven – Preheat your oven as per the recipe instructions. This ensures that the cake bakes evenly and rises properly. Follow the recommended temperature for the best results.
Use The Right Cake Tin Or Pan – Use the recommended type and size of baking tin or pan mentioned in the recipe. Springform baking tins are great because the base can be removed. Different pans can yield different results.
Prepare The Baking Pan – Properly prepare your cake pan by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper. This helps in the easy removal of the cake after baking.
Avoid Overmixing – Mix the ingredients just until they are incorporated. Overmixing can result in a cracked domed cake when baked. Gentle whisking and use a spatula to scrape down the sides.
Test For Doneness – Use a toothpick, cake tester, or skewer to check if the cake is fully baked. Insert it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid opening the oven door too frequently during baking, as it can affect the cake’s rise.
Cool The Cake Properly – Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from breaking or collapsing.

Helpful Resources

Can I Use A Different Type Of Sugar Instead Of Demerara Sugar?
Yes, you can use a different type of sugar. Demerara sugar adds a unique caramel-like flavor to the cake. Brown, muscovado, or castor sugar can be great alternatives. They will bring their own distinct taste to your easy summer plum cake recipe. Remember to adjust the quantities based on the sweetness profile of the sugar you’re going to use.
Can I Use Precooked Canned Plums In A Plum Cake?
Yes, you can use precooked canned plums when baking a plum cake. While fresh plums are recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use precooked canned plums as a substitute.
Remove the pits and drain any excess liquid before incorporating them into the cake. Keep in mind that the texture and juiciness of canned plums may differ slightly from fresh ones.
Can I Substitute The Eggs In A Cake For Dietary Reasons?
Yes, you can replace the eggs in our plum cake recipe. There are suitable alternatives apple sauce, mashed bananas, or aquafaba (chickpea juice) can be used as egg replacements. Each substitution may slightly alter the texture and taste of the cake, so choose the option that suits the flavor profile.
Is There A Vegan Option For This Recipe?
Yes, there is a vegan version of our easy summer plum cake. You just need to make a few ingredient substitutions to accommodate a plant-based diet.
Replace the butter with coconut oil or rice bran oil.
Use plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.
An egg replacement could be apple sauce, mashed banana, or aquafaba (chickpea juice).

Cooking Is A Science And A Skill

Cooking is a science and a skill that requires a deep understanding of both the technical and creative aspects. Cooking is also a matter of precise measurements and ratios.

For example, baking is particularly sensitive to accurate measurements and temperatures. A slight deviation in the amount of an ingredient or cooking degrees can result in a completely different outcome. So, to help you, here is a handy little unit converter tool for cooking without guesswork.