This plum and almond cake is super easy to make and would be perfect with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Soft, moist and spongy bake studded with sweet and juicy plums, topped with fragrant and crunchy toasted almonds.
Hello friends and happy Autumn!
As we wave goodbye to summer for another year, I'm naturally starting to crave all things cosy. Baked goodies (no change there!), stews, soups, endless cups of tea and chunky knits... you've got a picture. So, what a better way to kick off the new season, than with a warm, cosy and delicious cake, right?!?
Plum and almond cake- easy autumnal bake
Plums are currently in season, and they are one of my favourite fruits to bake with. When baked, they turn into this sweet, sticky, jammy goodness and I just love their wonderful flavour. Also, I just happen to think that plums and almonds go superbly together (try my Plum and Almond Pie, if you're not sure!).
There are two things I really love about this cake. Firstly, it's really easy to make and requires only 9 ingredients (not counting the salt and water). Secondly, its texture. Moist, soft and spongy, studded with juicy plums. Ground almonds in cake batter add lovely texture and is what keeps this cake so moist.
It's literally one of my favourite bakes at this time of the year, although the recipe is very versatile and good enough to use all-year-round. It can be adapted with any type of fruit, so feel free to experiment!
Simple ingredients to make the plum and almond cake
As mentioned above, only 9 ingredients are necessary to bake this yummy cake. The obvious one- plums. I always go for Victoria plums or Damsons, as I just love their colours and sweet flesh, but any type will work just fine.
You will also need almonds! There are two types required, ground almonds and flaked almonds. Ground ones will be added to the cake batter, and flaked almonds will go on top of finished cake (adding a nice crunch!). Other than that, you will need some butter, softened to room temperature, golden caster sugar, self-raising flour, eggs, almond essence and a bit of plum conserve or jam.
Golden caster sugar can be replaced with traditional, white caster. I simply use golden caster as it adds this gentle, buttery flavour to bakes. Also, in case if you do not have any self-rising flour, you can easily make your own. Simply add 2 tsp of baking powder for each 150 g (1 cup) of plain flour.
How to make this plum cake
As with any cake, you will need a good baking tin. In this recipe I'm using a 20 cm round cake tin with loose bottom (you can also use loaf tin). Make sure to grease it and line it up with baking parchment for easy removal of the cake.
Start with the plums. Cut 150 g of plums into roughly a 1 cm chunks. The rest of them will need to be cut into wedges, they will decorate the top of the cake.
Cream the butter and caster sugar together, using an electric mixer, until they are pale and fluffy in texture, then add the eggs, one at a time. Don't worry if the mixture curdles a bit. Add the almond essence and mix again. In a separate, large bowl, mix together the flour, ground almonds and add a medium-size pinch of fine salt. Fold it into the egg mixture and stir until just combined. Try not to over-mix it.
Now, spoon a little bit of cake batter into the cake tin. Enough to just cover the bottom of it. Add chunks of plums then cover it with the remaining batter. You can also fold the chunks of plums into the remaining batter and then spread it on top.
Finish off by arranging the plum wedges on top of the cake and bake it at 170 C for about 50 minutes or until risen and golden on top and the toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave it in the tin for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the tin and transfer into a cooling rack to cool it completely.
Ready to serve?
When you are ready to serve the cake, place a small pan on a medium heat and add flaked almonds. Toast them until golden brown and fragrant, then remove from the pan. Add plum jam with 1 tbsp of water into the pan and heat it through. Brush the jam on top of the cake and finish it off by sprinkling the toasted almonds on top.
You can serve it with some cream, creme fraiche, ice cream or simply on its own. Cup of a warm beverage is highly recommended with this bake!
Can I freeze this cake?
You can! After baking it, make sure the cake has cooled fully then wrap it in a double layer of clingfilm or plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw it, simply take it out of the freezer, unwrap and place on a wire rack at room temperature. It should take about 2- 3 hours.
As always, thanks for stopping by and reading today's post! You can also catch me on my Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Have a great week ahead and until next time!
Anna
Plum and almond cake
Equipment
- 20 cm loose bottom, round cake tin
Ingredients
- 170 g butter (softened)
- 250 g plums (halved)
- 150 g golden caster sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 115 g self-raising flour (see notes for the alternative)
- 100 g ground almonds
- 1 medium pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp flaked almonds
- 2 tbsp plum jam or conserve
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 170 C (fan). Grease the 20 cm round cake tin and line the bottom of it with baking parchment. Cut 150 g of plums into a 1 cm dice, slice the rest into wedges and set both aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat the eggs, one at a time, until combined, then add the almond essence.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, almonds and a pinch of salt, then fold into the egg mixture until just combined. Spoon some of the cake batter into a bottom of the cake tin, just to cover it. Add a layer of diced plums on top, then pour the remaining batter on top. Arrange the plum wedges on top and bake for 50-60 minutes until risen and golden, or until inserted in the centre toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. When ready to serve, toast the flaked almonds in a pan, until golden. Remove from the pan. Add plum jam into the pan with 1 tbsp of water, heat it up and stir to combine it. Brush the cake with plum jam then sprinkle with toasted almonds. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can swap golden caster sugar for traditional caster sugar
- Self-raising flour can be replace by plain, all-purpose flour. Simply add 2 tsp of baking powder for each 150 g (1 cup) of plain flour
- If the cake starts to brown up too quickly during baking, cover the top with some kitchen foil or baking parchment
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Bianca Zapatka
Such a delicious cake, Anna! Totally love plums, almonds and apricots! The best combo 😊 Lots of love to you, Bianca ❤️
annabanana
Hey Bianca, thanks so much hun! I absolutely love baking with stone fruits, and plums are one of my favourite! Much love back, have a fab week ahead!
Judith
Absolutely gorgeous recipe . We have a plum tree that produces loads of plums so was looking for a cake recipe ... I added slightly more plums and didn’t put the plum jam on the top as we form Th have any ... but I’ve made it twice this week and have requests to make it for work tomorrow !
Anna
Hey Judith, thanks so much for your review and rating, I'm over the moon to hear that this cake was such a success!
Heather
What wonderful flavor combinations! I never bake with plums but I'm inspired. And anything with almond extract I am huge fan of.
annabanana
Hey Heather, thanks so much for stopping by! Plums are wonderful in baking, and I really can't recommend it enough!I often bake them on their own, and use it as a topper for my porridge, or just eat them as they are, warm, straight from the oven with all the yummy juices they release when baked... It's a must try!
Amanda
Oh my gosh this cake is my love language! All the images are just stunning. I cannot wait to try this recipe!
annabanana
Thanks so much Amanda, I'm so happy to hear that! I hope you will enjoy this cake as much as I do!
Jacque Hastert
I can't wait to make this for Thanksgiving! We love plums and have the hardest time finding ways we will enjoy them in baked goods. I have found one recipe I know will be a hit. Thank you!
annabanana
Aww that's so great to hear Jacque! I really hope that you and your family will enjoy this plum cake!
Kelly Anthony
Wow this plum and almond cake is stunning and sure to impress any guest. I want to make this for our next supper club.
annabanana
Thanks Kelly, it's been my favourite plum cake for years, and it always goes down a treat with friends and family! Hope you will like it too!
georgie
This looks absolutely divine! Ive been searching for a plum cake for ages, can’t wait to try this recipe! I love your detailed process shots too, so helpful!
annabanana
Hey Georgie, thanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comment! Glad to hear you like the process shots too! Let me know if you make this cake, I would love to know how did you get on!
Donna
I am with you on that, plums and almonds do go so well together, especially in this cake!! Such a cosy cake to snuggle up to with a cup of tea!
annabanana
Thanks so much Donna, it makes the best companion with a cuppa, especially on a cold and rainy day! Glad you like it too!
Sharon
I love this cake so much! Delicious stone fruit and sweet without being overly so. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
annabanana
Thank you very much Sharon, so happy to hear that you like it!
Aline
I love this cake so much!! It's a perfect dessert and breakfast at the end of the summer!
annabanana
Hi Aline, thanks for stopping by! Yes, cake for breakfast should be a thing, especially when it tastes as delicious as this one!
Sophie
I have everything to make this recipe. Thank you so much!
annabanana
Yay, I'm glad to hear that Sophie! Let me know how did you like it!
Isabel
I’m making this today! Is it really just 15 grs of self raising flour or is it supposed to be 150?
annabanana
Hi Isabel, well spotted! It is 115 g of flour! I have corrected it in the recipe. Hope you will enjoy the bake!
Isabel
Thank you, making it today!! 😊