German Plum Cake

Sackville's Note:

This cake is actually known as Zwetschgendatschi in Bavaria, where it is most popular. Roughly translated from Bavarian to German, it would be called Pflaumenkuchen or plum cake in English. BUT Zwetschgen aren't ordinary plums, a Datschi isn't really a Kuchen, and a Kuchen is most definitely not a cake! Or at least not a tall, spongy cake -- it's flatter. Ideally, for this dessert you want the slightly tart Italian plums. If you do have to use another type of plum, be careful the variety you choose isn't too juicy.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 cake

• ¼ lb butter
• 1⁄3; cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 pinch salt (only if you use unsalted butter)
• 1 teaspoon lemon, rind of
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups plums , pitted and sliced into thin wedges

For the topping

• 6 tablespoons butter
• ¾ cup flour
• 1⁄3; cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, add the sugar, vanilla, egg, lemon peel, sour cream and salt (if desired).
2. Mix the flour and baking powder and add that into the mixture.
3. Grease the base of a round baking pan and spread the dough over the pan.
4. Liberally spread plums over the dough.
5. To make the optional topping, cream the butter, add flour, sugar and cinnamon.
6. Sprinkle over the plums and bake for 30-45 minutes in the middle rack at 375 F.
7. Be careful not to let the bottom burn!
8. Serve with lots of freshly-made whipped cream.
9. If you like, you may also sprinkle rum or cinnamon over the fruit before baking.

Reviews

[Trish Za Dish]

As a child we had a German elderly couple who lived across the fence. Often they would send a plum cake and we would eat it all before it hit the table.it was so yummy. I was looking for that cake when I tried this recipe. But as for this cake.... The flavors were great, but the density of the base cake was too thick. next time I will decrease the flour by 3/4 cups (or so) and hopefully it will lighten and seem more moist. In the top I will decreas the flour too. I could sure taste the flour in the crumb topping.

[sabrinajosh]

this cake was very good, i used strawberries instead of plums, because i prefer strawberries. it was delicious and my husband loved it, which is awesome because he is not a fan of cake at all. it also tasted similar to coffee cakes i have had in germany. thanks for the recipe

[Marge S]

Love the firm, crumbly base in this recipe. I made this with fresh Victoria plums from our tree, which are sweeter and a bit juicier than German zwetschgen. I left off the streusel topping to reduce calories and piled on extra sliced plums instead, as my photos show. One of those cake treats that tastes just as good if not better rewarmed. It also freezes well.