German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen)
📜 Collection: Gail Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic German sheet cake featuring a rich, buttery, and dense crumb lightly spiced with cardamom. It is traditionally topped with fresh plum halves and baked to golden perfection.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | 45 mins | None | 1 9x13 inch cake |
🔪 Key Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Large bowl
- Separate bowl
- Electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 pound (2 sticks) | Butter | softened |
| 1 1/2 cups | Sugar | divided |
| 1 packet (or 2 tsp) | Vanilla Sugar | or vanilla extract |
| 3 large | Eggs | room temperature |
| 3 cups | Flour | all-purpose |
| 1 packet (or 4 tsp) | Baking Powder | none |
| 1 teaspoon | Cardamom | none |
| 1/2 to 2/3 cup | Milk | none |
| 1 cup | Raisins | optional |
For the Traditional Topping
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pounds | Plums | fresh, pitted and halved |
| 2-3 tablespoons | Sugar | for sprinkling |
| 1 teaspoon | Cinnamon | for sprinkling |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter with the 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 packet (or 2 tsp) vanilla sugar using a wooden spoon or electric mixer until fluffy.
- Beat in the 3 large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 3 cups flour, 1 packet (or 4 tsp) baking powder, and 1 teaspoon cardamom.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the 1/2 to 2/3 cup milk, until a very heavy, thick dough-like batter forms. If using, fold in the 1 cup raisins.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
- Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Arrange the 2 pounds fresh plums halves, skin-side down, in tight rows over the top of the batter, pressing them in slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix 2-3 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the plums and batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and fragrant, and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store the baked cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Original Recipe Scan
