This easy plum coffee cake is a light and airy sponge cake topped with juicy plums, a touch of cinnamon, and a dusting of powdered sugar. The cake is lightly sweet, letting the fruit remain the star of the recipe.
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I grew up eating cakes like this in Romania, where plums are one of the most popular fruits of late summer. Families use them for jams, compotes, dumplings, and simple homemade desserts that are often served with coffee or tea.
What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. The batter comes together with basic pantry ingredients, while the plums soften as they bake, adding sweetness and moisture to every bite. There is no need for complicated techniques or special equipment.
If plums are not in season, you can make the same cake with cherries, peaches, apricots, or nectarines. It is a versatile fruit cake that is easy enough for a weekday dessert but special enough to share with family and friends.
If you enjoy simple fruit cakes, take a look at my Pound Cake with Fruits and Almond Flakes. It is another easy recipe that celebrates seasonal fruit and pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients For The Plum Coffee Cake
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this plum coffee cake.
- Italian plums are my favorite choice because they are sweet, juicy, and easy to pit. They hold their shape well during baking and add just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. If you cannot find them, other fresh plums will work too.
- Eggs are the key to the cake's light texture. The yolks add richness, while the whipped egg whites help the batter rise without the need for baking powder.
- Vegetable oil or melted butter keeps the cake moist. Use oil for a lighter texture or butter for a richer flavor.
- Cinnamon pairs beautifully with plums and adds a warm flavor that makes the cake taste like late summer.
- You'll also need all-purpose flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Can I Use Other Fruit?
Yes. This recipe works well with cherries, peaches, apricots, or nectarines. Choose ripe but firm fruit so it holds its shape during baking and does not release too much juice into the batter.
How To Make The Plum Coffee Cake
Step 1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a 10x14-inch baking pan, then set it aside.
Step 2. Prepare the Plums: Slice the plums in halves and remove the stones. Place the plums in a bowl, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon, then mix gently. Set aside.
Step 3. Separate the Eggs: Carefully separate the egg yolks from the whites. In a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the oil or melted butter. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and vanilla, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
Step 4. Combine Yolks and Whites: Gently fold the egg yolks into the beaten egg whites using a spoon, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
Step 5. Incorporate the Flour: Gradually fold in the flour, mixing gently from the bottom of the bowl to the top. Do not overmix to keep the batter light and airy. Do not overmix, as you do not want to lose the air from the batter.
Step 6. Prepare the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Step 7. Add the Plums: Arrange the plum halves on top of the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into squares.
Expert Tips
- When folding the egg whites and flour, do so gently to keep the batter airy. Overmixing can deflate the batter, resulting in a denser cake.
- Use ripe but firm plums. Very soft plums can release too much juice and make the cake soggy.
- Allow the cake to cool before dusting it with powdered sugar. This helps the sugar stay on top instead of melting into the cake.
- Check the cake a few minutes before the suggested baking time. Ovens vary, and the cake is done when it is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
What to Serve with This Recipe
This cake is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, which is why it makes a wonderful breakfast treat or afternoon snack.
For dessert, serve it with lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fresh plums on the side also make a beautiful presentation when the fruit is in season.
Interested in a beautiful fruit tart? Try this Plum Tart, it is so easy to make and so delicious!
Enjoy!
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📖 Recipe
Easy Plum Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian plums
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs separated
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla flavor
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F(180C). Butter and flour a 10x14-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Slice the plums in halves and remove the stone.
- Place the plums in a bowl and sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon, then mix them gently. Set aside.
- Separate the eggs.
- Mix the egg yolks with oil. Set aside.
- With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with salt to a soft peak, then add sugar, and vanilla. Keep beating the egg whites to a stiff peak.
- Incorporate the egg yolks by folding them gently with a spoon.
- Incorporate the flour also, gently, folding it from the bottom of the bowl to its surface. Do not overmix.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread the mixture with a spatula.
- Place the plum halves on top of the batter and bake at 350F/180C for 40-45 minutes.
- Let it cool in the pan, then sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar and cut it into squares.
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