Dense moist almond cake topped with tangy plums, the classic combination of flavours makes this plum and almond traybake a resounding hit. It's really easy to make too.
For everyday cakes I am a big fan of traybakes. Quick to make, unpretentious and what they lack in the wow factor appearance wise they usually more than make up for in flavour. This plum and almond cake is no exception.
If, like me, you have your own plum tree then your yearly crop is likely to be either a mere handful of plums or a crop that is far more than you could ever just eat. For me, this season has been a good one, so I have been busy cooking and baking, and I think I'm not the only one with a large crop this year judging by the amount of plum recipes I'm seeing on the net.
Then again, plums are a delicious fruit so it is no surprise to see a lot of recipes using them. I've been trying a selection of recipes with my glut of plums. Italian plum jam - a smooth jam perfect for a cake filling, Plum and pear crumble which I posted on my other blog Recipes Made Easy and quite a few variations of plum cake.
This is my favourite cake so far, the sponge base has ground almonds which gives it a slightly denser texture and a deliciously moist crumb. A little almond extract gives the almond flavour a bit of a boost but don't be tempted to go overboard or you end up with a slightly soapy flavour. Measure carefully, it's always a good idea to use a proper measuring spoon when baking.
The plums are halved and pushed gently into the almond sponge before baking. The cake is then just finished off with a light dusting of icing sugar and cut into neat squares with one plum half per portion.
Delicious with a cup of tea or coffee this traybake is also delicious served slightly warm with a little cream or a scoop of ice cream.
The plum and almond cake also freezes really well. Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months - though I will put money on it being gone long before then! Allow to defrost at room temperature or pop a square in the microwave for 30-40 seconds.
More plum cake recipes to try
I've scoured the net and found these delicious plum cake recipes.
- Plum and amaretti cake - Something Sweet Something Savoury
- Plum upside down cake - A baking Journey
- Plum yogurt cake - Family Spice
- German plum cake - Caroline's Cooking or Where's my Spoon
- Flourless sticky chocolate plum cake - Rachael Hartley Nutrition
How to make plum and almond tray bake step by step
Cream butter and sugar togther until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Add the almond extract and ground almonds, fold in. Fold in the flour. Spoon into tin and spread level. Arrange plum halves on top. Bake until golden. Dust with icing sugar and cut into squares to serve.
📖 Recipe
Plum and Almond Traybake
Equipment
- electric whisk
- 23 x 27cm( 9 x 11 in) shallow baking tin
Ingredients
- 250 g butter softened
- 250 g light muscovado sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 150 g ground almonds
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 225g g self-raising flour
- 10 plums halved and stoned
- icing sugar to dust
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃ (160℃ fan)/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease and line a rectangular baking tin about 23 x 27cm( 9 x 11 in).
- Beat 250g (9oz) butter and 250g (9oz) sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
- Beat in 1 teaspoon almond extract, then add 150g (5oz)ground almonds and gently fold in.
- Sift in 225g (8oz) self-raising flour and fold in until until well combined. Spoon into the prepared tin and spread level.
- Arrange the plums on top of the sponge mixture, pressing down into the mixture slightly.
- Bake in the centre of the oven for 45 minutes, until risen and golden. The cake will spring back when gently pressed in the centre with your finger.
- Allow to cool in the tin. Dust with icing sugar. Transfer to a board and cut into squares to serve.
SOPHIA KHAN says
Great recipe. I only added 125g of brown sugar and the sweetness was just right. I love combining herbs in my sweets so scatters some finely chopped rosemary on top and some granulated sugar for a surprise crunch / sweetness when you bite into a piece. Would definately make this again and again. Have had a bomber crop of plums this year.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I love combining herbs in sweet dishes too the rosemary sounds a lovely combination. I think thyme would be good too.
Joanna says
Our plum tree has outdone itself this year so it is great to have another plum recipe. This traybake looks beautiful with the embedded plums and the combination of plum and almond is always a winner!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
What a perfect way to enjoy plums!
Chloe Edges says
Tray bakes are such a winner, they're really so much easier to make and eat than layer cakes. And importantly easier to cut. I'm hoping to buy a plum tree next year so I can make this with my own plums at somepoint!
Beth Sachs says
I love traybakes as they are so easy to make. Plum and almonds go fantastically well together don't they!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
Oh that looks delicious! Sounds like it would make a terrific dessert too.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Yes it delicious as a dessert. I like it just warm with clotted cream but for colder days it would be fab with lots of custard. Then warm dessert most things are fab with custard!
Renu says
Delicious tray bake, we still have some plums coming and I would love to try this. Tempting Clicks
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I've still got some plums and I've just eaten the last square in the freezer so I shall be making again
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Such a great traybake recipe! I really love almonds in a cake, and I love plums, so this sounds right up my street! 😀
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Its a great combination and I absolutely love this cake its going to become a regular bake for sure.
Pam says
Made this today. It is really nice, and that little bit different. Sent some over to my son. Will make it again. Thanks.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
So pleased you liked it Pam and I shall be making it again very soon too as i still have some plums left.