Plum And Almond Cake Recipe

The Most Heavenly Plum And Almond Cake Recipe Ever

Sweet memories of summers past dance through this delightful plum and almond cake that promises pure comfort.

Juicy plums nestle between tender almond-infused layers, creating a dessert that whispers of home.

Seasonal fruit adds natural brightness to each delectable slice.

Almonds bring a subtle crunch and nutty warmth to the soft cake base.

Baking becomes an intimate experience when you craft something so wonderfully rustic.

Each bite tells a story of simple ingredients transforming into something magical.

You’ll want to savor this cake slowly, letting its rich flavors unfold with every delicious forkful.

Why Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake Is Full Of Flavor

Why Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake Is Full Of Flavor
  • Craft Quick Dessert: This plum and almond cake delivers a stunning homemade treat with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for bakers of all levels.
  • Seasonal Celebration: Showcases fresh summer plums in a delightful cake that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dessert for gatherings or afternoon tea.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adapts beautifully for different occasions, from casual family dinners to sophisticated potlucks, impressing guests with its rustic charm and rich almond flavor.
  • Simple Ingredient Magic: Uses basic pantry staples and minimal steps to create a mouthwatering cake that looks and tastes professionally prepared, making home baking feel like a culinary triumph.

What You Need For Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake

Main Ingredients:
  • Plums: Fresh, ripe stone fruits that provide natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden brown crust.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Creates the base structure of the cake.
  • Almonds, Almond Flour, Salt: Enhance the nutty flavor and provide depth to the cake's taste.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Almond Extract: Intensifies the almond flavor throughout the cake.
  • Jam: Adds a glossy finish and extra sweetness to the cake's surface.
  • Flaked Almonds: Provides a crunchy topping and additional nutty flavor.

Steps To Make Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake

Steps To Make Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Pan

Grease a round cake tin and line the bottom with parchment paper. Ensure the pan is completely coated to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whip softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gently incorporate eggs and almond extract, blending until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Ingredients for dry mix:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Ground almonds
  • Pinch of salt

Softly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a silky, even batter.

Step 4: Add Plum Goodness

Gently fold diced plums into the cake batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Arrange and Decorate

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin. Artfully arrange plum wedges on top of the batter for a beautiful presentation.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the cake in a preheated oven. Bake until the top turns golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean, typically around 50-60 minutes.

Step 7: Finish with Flair

Brush the warm cake with heated jam for a glossy finish. Sprinkle toasted flaked almonds over the top for added crunch and flavor.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Allow the cake to cool completely. Slice and serve as a delightful dessert or afternoon treat.

Pro Tips For Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake Success

  • Prevent Plum Sinking: Toss diced plums in a little flour before adding to batter to stop them from dropping to the bottom of the cake during baking.
  • Maximize Almond Flavor: Toast almonds briefly before adding to the mix to enhance their nutty, rich taste and create deeper aroma.
  • Check Cake Doneness: Insert a skewer into the center – if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
  • Adjust for Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising texture.
  • Enhance Fruit Intensity: Use ripe, in-season plums for maximum natural sweetness and deeper fruit flavor throughout the cake.

Tasty Variations Of Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake

  • Gluten-Free Plum Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter for coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select plant-based milk alternatives.
  • Stone Fruit Swap: Substitute plums with nectarines, peaches, or apricots for a seasonal fruit variation.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce sugar quantity, and incorporate more natural fruit sweetness.

Pairing Suggestions For Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake

  • Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Complement the cake's warm, nutty almond flavor with a cool, smooth vanilla scoop that balances the dense texture.
  • Sip Sweet Moscato Wine: Enhance the plum's fruity notes with a light, sweet white wine that matches the cake's delicate sweetness.
  • Brew Earl Grey Tea: Highlight the cake's subtle almond undertones with a fragrant, bergamot-infused tea that provides a gentle, aromatic contrast.
  • Enjoy Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Top the cake with a spiced cream that adds warmth and complexity to the plum and almond combination.

How To Store Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake Properly

  • Store cake in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 4 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
  • Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Keep cake in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Best consumed within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture.
  • Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, place in preheated oven at 150C for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavors.

Mary Berry Plum And Almond Cake FAQs

  • Can I use other fruits instead of plums?

Yes, you can substitute plums with similar stone fruits like apricots, peaches, or nectarines that hold their shape during baking.

  • Do I need to remove plum skins before adding to the cake?

No, you can leave plum skins on. They add color, texture, and extra nutrients to the cake.

  • Is almond extract necessary for this recipe?

While almond extract enhances the flavor, you can omit it if unavailable. The cake will still taste delicious with the natural almond and plum flavors.

  • How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly firm to touch.

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Plum And Almond Cake Recipe

Plum And Almond Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 65-75 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Indulgent Plum and Almond Cake whispers sweet stories of rustic European baking traditions. Nutty almond notes dance with juicy plum slices, creating a dessert that delights your senses with elegant simplicity.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 300 grams (10.5 ounces) plums, halved (200 grams diced, 100 grams in wedges)
  • 170 grams (6 ounces) softened butter
  • 3 large eggs
  • 150 grams (5.3 ounces) golden caster sugar

Flour and Nut Ingredients:

  • 125 grams (4.4 ounces) self-raising flour
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) ground almonds
  • 2 tablespoons flaked almonds

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons plum or apricot jam

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 20cm round baking tin by lining with parchment and lightly greasing the surface.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating eggs and almond extract until smooth and well-combined.
  3. Gently fold flour, ground almonds, and salt into the wet mixture, creating a uniform batter with a soft consistency.
  4. Carefully incorporate diced plums into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
  5. Transfer the batter to the prepared tin, arranging plum wedges artfully across the top for visual appeal and additional fruity flavor.
  6. Place in a preheated oven at 170°C (160°C fan) and bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the cake turns golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and immediately brush the warm surface with heated jam, creating a glossy and appealing finish.
  8. Sprinkle toasted flaked almonds over the glazed cake for added texture and nutty crunch.
  9. Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before carefully removing, slicing, and serving as a delectable dessert.

Notes

  • Select ripe, firm plums for the best texture and flavor in your cake.
  • Toast almonds beforehand to enhance their nutty, aromatic profile and add extra crunch.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and better cake consistency.
  • Adjust baking time based on your oven’s performance, checking with a skewer for doneness to prevent over or underbaking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 343 kcal
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 56 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 93 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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