German Plum Cake

Name: German Plum Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 2 cups bread flour; 1 tsp instant yeast; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp salt; 2/3 cup whole milk, warm; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 egg yolk; 2 lbs fresh plums, halved and pitted; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 6 tbsp brown sugar; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

A buttery yeast cake topped with fresh plums and a cinnamon-sugar streusel. A classic German dessert that's fruity, tender, and irresistible.

70 minMediumServes 8350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups bread flour
1 tsp instant yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup whole milk, warm
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg yolk
2 lbs fresh plums, halved and pitted
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

1

Mix 2 cups bread flour, 1 tsp instant yeast, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt.
2

Add 2/3 cup warm whole milk, 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter, and 1 egg yolk. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3

Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes in a warm place.
4

Preheat oven to 375°F. Press dough into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, stretching gently to fit.
5

Arrange 2 lbs halved and pitted fresh plums skin-side down in a slightly overlapping pattern over the dough.
6

Make the streusel: mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 6 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.
7

Cut in 4 tbsp cubed cold unsalted butter with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8

Sprinkle streusel evenly over the plums.
9

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake is golden and plums are tender.
10

Cool slightly before serving. Best served warm with a dollop of sour cream or whipped cream.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for German Plum Cake?

As written, 70 minutes: 30 of prep and 40 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 3, 1 hour.

What temperature do I cook German Plum Cake at?

For German Plum Cake, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 4. The longest stretch at that heat is 40 minutes, in step 9.

How do I know when German Plum Cake is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 9: cook until the cake is golden and plums are tender.

Is there a substitute for bread flour in German Plum Cake?

The entry for German Plum Cake calls for 2 cups bread flour. In its place: All-purpose flour works. The crumb will be a little softer and less chewy.

Can I make German Plum Cake dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in German Plum Cake is 2/3 cup whole milk, warm, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make German Plum Cake gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in German Plum Cake is 2 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Does German Plum Cake contain eggs?

Yes: 1 egg yolk. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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