German Plum Cake

Our contest-winning German plum cake recipe, also known as plum kuchen, or pflaumenkuchen in German, is a delicious way to enjoy plums when they’re in season and abundant. This cake is a bit like a mashup of cake, coffee cake and pie, with its lovely portions of plum in every slice. It’s also so easy to make that you may find yourself eager to make it again as soon as the first one is eaten up. Which will be quickly.

Ingredients for German Plum Cake

• Butter: Butter adds richness to the flavor and makes the cake tender. You’ll want to soften the butter ahead of time for this recipe.
• Sugar: When creamed with the butter, sugar helps make the cake airy and lighter.
• Eggs: You’ll want the eggs to reach room temperature for this plum kuchen recipe, as room-temperature eggs mix better with the other ingredients and ultimately create a fluffier, lighter cake.
• All-purpose flour: No special type of flour is needed for this recipe, as all-purpose flour works perfectly well for a plum cake.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the plum cake rise.
• Milk: We use 2% milk for this recipe, rather than whole milk, to cut down on milkfat and calories.
• Lemon zest: Lemon zest adds a hint of citrus to the cake. And if you’re unsure, here’s how to zest a lemon.
• Fresh plums: Slice fresh plums (about four, if they’re medium-sized) until you have 2 cups worth of slices.
• Brown sugar: The brown sugar pairs with the cinnamon to make a scrumptious cake topping. Pack it firmly in the measuring cup to get an accurate amount.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a hint of warmth and spice to the cake topping.
• Confectioners’ sugar (optional): Dust the top of the plum kuchen with confectioners’ sugar, if you like.

Directions

Step 1: Start the batter

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is fluffy, five to seven minutes. Beat in the eggs.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

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In another bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk and beating well after each addition. Add the lemon zest.

Step 3: Arrange the batter and plum slices

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Pour the batter into a greased 10-inch springform pan. Arrange the plum slices on top, gently pressing them into the batter. Sprinkle the top with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Step 4: Bake the plum cake

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Place the filled pan on a baking sheet, then bake the cake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes.

Step 5: Dust the cake with powdered sugar

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Remove the cake from the oven, and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the inside edge of the springform pan, then remove the rim. Continue cooling the cake on a wire rack. If desired, dust it with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

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German Plum Cake Variations

• Add cinnamon and nutmeg: Mix 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon into the batter for warm, spicy notes in each bite of cake.
• Make it peachy: Use the same amount of fresh or canned peach slices in place of the plums for a peachy variation.
• Top it with whipped cream: Top each slice with homemade sweetened whipped cream for a tasty treat.

How to Store German Plum Cake

Store your plum cake or kuchen, covered, at room temperature, and enjoy it within a couple of days; place the covered cake in the refrigerator to keep it for a few more days. Like other coffee cake recipes, this kuchen is at its best the day it’s baked.

Can you freeze German plum cake?

You can. When the cake is cool, wrap it in two layers of foil, then place it in a large zippered freezer storage bag. It’ll keep in the freezer for several months. For easier storage, cut the cake into portions, then wrap and freeze them that way. Thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying it again.

German Plum Cake Tips

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How do I choose good plums for this recipe for German plum cake?

The ripest plums will give slightly when pressed gently with your thumb. Hard plums are not as juicy or sweet, but they are one of the fruits that continue ripening after you buy them. Red-skinned plums with golden interiors make beautiful plum desserts, plus they’re incredibly juicy and sweet when they’re perfectly ripe.

When should I serve German plum cake?

Any time is a good time for plum kuchen! Enjoy it as a dessert with a cup of coffee or tea, or even have a small slice with breakfast. It’s also lovely as a sweet snack.

Would this taste good with ice cream?

Absolutely! When the cake is still warm, serve it with a quality vanilla ice cream, or choose butter pecan, butter brickle or any other homemade ice cream that has a light enough flavor to let the plum cake shine.