About the Recipe
Plum Cake is a classic dessert that is often associated with festive occasions, especially Christmas. Despite the name, plum cake doesn’t necessarily contain plums but is traditionally made with dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas, currants, and sometimes even nuts like almonds and walnuts. These ingredients are soaked in alcohol (like rum or brandy) to enhance their flavor and give the cake a rich, moist texture. The cake is spiced with aromatic ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes ginger, which infuse it with warmth and depth.
The base of the plum cake is a dense, buttery batter that holds all the fruits and spices together. It’s often baked slowly at a low temperature to ensure the fruits soften and release their natural sweetness, and the cake itself becomes tender and flavorful. Once baked, plum cakes are often allowed to mature for a few days to allow the flavors to meld and develop further. Some people even drizzle a bit more alcohol over the cake during the maturation process to intensify the richness.
In India, Plum Cake is a beloved treat, particularly during the Christmas season, and it is often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. The cake is sometimes topped with a layer of marzipan or icing for a festive touch. This cake is cherished for its warm, comforting flavors, its decadent texture, and its association with celebrations and family gatherings.
Recipe
Ingredients
Directions to make
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon orange juice or zest (optional)
- 1/4 cup molasses or dark treacle (optional for extra flavor)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional – walnuts, almonds, or cashews)
- 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger (optional for extra zing)
Step 1 : Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line a round or square cake tin with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, which will take around 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer or by hand.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the milk and orange juice or zest. Start with the dry ingredients, then add some milk, mixing gently to combine. Continue until all ingredients are mixed into a smooth batter.
- If you want to add some chopped nuts or crystallized ginger for texture and flavor, fold them in gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin, spreading it evenly.
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cool, you can enjoy it plain, or optionally top it with a dusting of powdered sugar, marzipan, or icing for a festive touch.
