Derby Day Plum Cake Recipes

LATE SUMMER PLUM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. (Alternatively, the cake may be made in a 9-inch cake pan or pie pan and served directly from the pan.)
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, and beat on low speed until smooth. (Note: the batter will be quite thick.)
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Arrange the plums on top, skin side up, in a circular pattern so that they mostly cover the batter. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the plums.
• Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center.
• When the cake is hot out of the oven, run a knife around the edges of the pan and then remove the springform edge, leaving the base in place (if using a springform pan). Let the cake cool on a rack completely. Slice and serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
• Note: This cake keeps well, loosely covered at room temperature, for several days.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

DERBY DAY PLUM CAKE

Steps:

• PRE HEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES. GREASE BOTTOM OF 8 INCH CAKE PAN WITH A REMOVABLE BOTTOM, THEN LINE WITH PARCHMENT PAPER. (GREASING HELPS PAPER STICK)
• BEAT EGGS IN A MIXING BOWL WITH 3/4 CUP OF SUGAR AND VANILLA UNTILL PALE AND FLUFFY. MIX IN FLOUR AND BAKING POWDER. WHISK IN MELTED BUTTER AND MILK. DON'T OVER MIX.
• PUT HAILF THE PLUM SKIN SIDE DOWN IN A NICE RING ON BOTTOM OF PAN, USE AS MANY AS NEEDED TO COVER BOTTOM BUT NOT TO TIGHTLY AS YOU WANT BATTER TO GET BETWEEN THEM AND FORM THE BASE OF THE CAKE.
• SCOOP ALL OF THE BATTER OVER TOP OF PLUMS. ARRANGE REST OF PLUMS IN NEAT SLICES OVER TOP OF CAKE. SOME WILL SINK INTO CAKE BUT MOST WILL STAY ON TOP SO ARRANGE PREETY. THE PLUMS WILL SHRINK SO IT IS OK TO USE MORE ON TOP THAN NOT ENOUGH.
• SPRINLE THE 2 TBLS. OF SUGAR OVER THE TOP OF CAKE. THIS GIVES IT THAT KINDA CRISP YUMMY TOP QUALITY.
• PLACE CAKE ON BAKING SHE AND PLACE IN OVEN. BAKE 1 HOUR OR UNTIL TOP IS A PRETTY GOLEN BROW AND A SKEWER COMES OUT CLEAN. THE PLUMS WILL HAVE CARAMELISED A BIT.
• TAKE OUT OF OVEN AND ALLOW TO COOL A FEW MINUTES BEFORE YOU REMOVE IT. BE CAREFUL OF ANY SYRUPY LIQUID THAT MAY HAVE FORMED. SERVE WITH WHIPPED CREAM OR ICE CREAM.