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Old-Fashioned Plum Cake Recipes: Upside-Down Plum Cake
My old-fashioned plum cake is possibly the most delicious upside-down plum cake recipe you’ve ever baked at home!
➡️ Are you looking for easy homemade plum cake recipes in 2023? You don’t need to search further because on this page you’ll discover how to make an upside-down plum cake from scratch in 17 steps at home.
➡️ But what is an upside-down plum cake? An upside-down plum cake is a dessert made by arranging plum slices or halves at the bottom of a baking pan, followed by a layer of cake batter. The cake is then baked, and once it’s done, it’s flipped over to reveal the plum topping on top. The plums release their juices while baking, creating a caramelized layer that enhances the cake’s flavor and texture. This dessert combines the sweetness of plums with the moistness of the cake, resulting in a delightful and visually appealing treat.
➡️ Of course, such a cake can be prepared in different ways. Here are some variations of upside-down plum cake:
- Spiced Plum Cake: Add warmth and depth of flavor by incorporating spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the cake batter.
- Almond or Nut Topping: Sprinkle sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or pecans over the plums before adding the cake batter for added crunch and flavor.
- Ginger Infusion: Introduce grated fresh ginger to the cake batter for a zesty and aromatic twist that complements the sweetness of the plums.
- Whole Plums: Instead of slices, use whole plums with the pit removed. This can create a visually stunning presentation and a burst of plum flavor in every bite.
- Citrus Zest: Add a layer of citrus flavor by incorporating orange or lemon zest into the cake batter. The citrus aroma complements the plums nicely.
- Caramel Drizzle: After baking, drizzle the cooled cake with a caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness and richness.
- Mixed Fruits: Combine plums with other seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, or nectarines for a medley of flavors and colors.
- Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: Serve the upside-down plum cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream to balance the tartness of the plums.
- Liqueur Soaked Plums: Before arranging the plums, marinate them in a flavorful liqueur like amaretto, Grand Marnier, or spiced rum for an adult twist.
- Gluten-Free or Vegan Version: Adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary preferences by using gluten-free flours or plant-based substitutes for butter and eggs.
- Upside-Down Tart: Make mini versions of the cake in tart pans for individual servings with the same delightful upside-down presentation.
- Herb Accent: Garnish the finished cake with fresh herbs like mint or basil to add a unique herbal aroma and a pop of color.
These variations allow you to customize your upside-down plum cake according to your taste preferences and creativity, resulting in a delicious and unique dessert. My easy upside-down plum cake recipe helps you bake an old-fashioned cake with fresh plums and more simple and tasty ingredients.
➡️ Read on and learn below how to make an upside-down plum cake at home from scratch using a yummy and easy homemade cake recipe!
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How to Make Upside-Down Plum Cake from Scratch
What ingredients do you need to make the upside-down plum cake?
1) 6 egg yolks
2) 250 g/9 oz + 12 tbsp of granulated sugar
3) 12 tbsp of sunflower oil
4) 12 tbsp of carbonated water
5) 1 tsp of vanilla extract
6) 10 g/0.35 oz of baking powder (1 sachet)
7) 350 g/12.5 of all-purpose flour
8) a pinch of salt
9) 500 g/17.5 oz of plums
10) cinnamon powder to taste
How to make an upside-down plum cake from scratch?
1) break eggs and separate the yolks and whites, then place yolks into a bowl
2) add 250 g/9 oz of sugar to the bowl, then combine ingredients by mixer until sugar is dissolved completely
3) gradually add sunflower oil while stirring by mixer
4) gradually add carbonated water while stirring by mixer
5) add vanilla extract, baking powder, and flour, then combine ingredients by hand
6) add a pinch of salt to egg whites and whip ingredients by mixer until hard
7) gradually add egg white to the first bowl while stirring gently by hand from bottom to top to incorporate air into the dough
8) place a sheet of baking paper into a large tray, then spread 10 tbsp of sugar into a layer
9) cut plums in halves lengthwise, then remove seeds
10) place over sugar a layer of plum halves with the cut face downwards
11) sprinkle over the plums some cinnamon powder to taste, then sprinkle about 2 spoons of sugar if the plums are not sweet enough or ripe completely
12) pour the previously made dough over the plums into the tray and spread it into a layer
13) place the tray into the preheated oven at 250 C/480 F for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180 C/360 F and bake the plum cake until golden brown on top
14) take the tray out from the oven and wait to cool the cake for about 15 minutes
15) overturn the tray to place the upside-down plum cake on a platter
16) remove the baking paper from the top and wait until the cake cools to room temperature
17) slice the cake up as desired when the caramel layer hardened enough
Enjoy the upside-down plum cake!
Final Notes for the Upside-Down Plum Cake Recipe
➡️ Plum cake is one of the most popular homemade cake recipes in many parts of the world. As a result, there are available many plum cake recipes. A special category of homemade cakes is represented by upside-down cakes. If you don’t know what is an upside-down cake, read more at the top of the page to get informed better.
➡️ Upside-down cakes are especially appreciated when featuring fresh fruit. This is not surprising since the combination of fruit juice and caramelized sugar results in a very delicious layer on the top of the cake.
➡️ There are different fruits used to bake an upside-down cake, the most common being apple. However, I like this type of homemade fruit cake with other fruits as well and one of my preferred cakes is the plum upside-down cake.
➡️ Making this old-fashioned cake recipe is easy even if you could think the opposite at first glance. Overturning the tray is not as difficult as it seems, you just have to work carefully and slowly.
➡️ The best advice I can give you is to wait enough before slicing the cake up. If you’re not patient, the caramel layer from the top of the cake won’t be hard enough, and, possibly, the plums will fall off the sponge cake.
➡️ Enjoy making upside-down plum cake from scratch! For additional info, read more about the upside-down cake here.
Related Plum Cake Recipes and Culinary Articles
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Old-Fashioned Plum Cake Recipe with Meringue Topping
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