Ruby-Emerald Plum Cake
vegetarian // serves 8
The guy who used to sell me stone fruits at the Palo Alto farmer’s market once told me that emerald plums were the best ones out there. At the time, emeralds weren’t in season—and I was moving away—but he was so insistent that I try his that he offered to mail a box of them all the way across the country to me. Aww!! (he was right: they are the best.)
This mixed plum cake reminds of those happy mornings talking to vendors at the farmer’s market. It’s lightly spiced, has a hint of almond extract, and it’s got four different plums in it: emerald, sugar, blood, and black ruby (hence, “Ruby-Emerald”). Using many varieties of plums means each bite is different and special. For example, the emeralds are crisp, appley, and floral, and the black rubies are juicier and more tart. Use whatever plums you can find! But I highly recommend including an emerald ;)
Tip: if you’re ever at the California Avenue farmer’s market, go buy some stuff from Dave at Sweet Tree/HOSAKA Farms.
What you need:
1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar for the batter, plus 2 tbsp for the top
2 eggs
4 tbsp butter, melted
⅛ cup oil
⅛ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
¾ tsp almond extract
about 1 lb mixed plums (black, red, emerald, etc.), pitted and cut into eighths. I like to go for four different types of plums for variety, which works out perfect since four plums = approx. 1 lb.
additional butter and flour for the pan
How to make it:
preheat oven to 350 F and butter and flour a 9 inch springform pan.
in a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. set aside.
in another bowl, beat eggs with 1 cup sugar by hand until just slightly lightened in color and texture.
in a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
add the butter mixture into the egg mixture and whisk to combine. then, add the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry and whisk until just combined.
pour batter into the prepared pan. arrange plum slices on the surface and sprinkle the additional 2 tbsp sugar over top.
bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. allow to cool.
