Decadent Plum Cake

Plum Cake

This cake sits somewhere between an afternoon treat and a "light" dessert. It's a decadent choice with a warm cup of tea and can also be dressed up with some softly whipped cream as the perfect post-dinner treat.

Serves: 6-8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Method: Oven

Ingredients

125g unsalted butter (softened), plus a little extra
65g caster sugar
50g light brown sugar
2 large eggs
70g plain flour
70g wholemeal rye flour*
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp Sweet Spice
5 or 6 just-ripe plums, halved & pitted
85g cup sugar

• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, and butter/flour/line an 8-inch square baking tin or a loaf tin.
• With electric beaters, beat the butter and both sugars until light, fluffy and pale. Add the eggs, beating well, and don't worry if the mixture looks a little curdled - it will come back together.
• Sift into the mixture both flours, the baking powder, salt and 1 tspn of Sweet Spice, and beat until just combined but try not to overmix.
• Spread the batter evenly in the tin, and top with the plum halves, cut side facing upwards. Combine the remaining 1 tsp of Sweet Spice and the sugar, and sprinkle over the plums. Dot with some thin slices of butter.
• Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or, turning halfway through so it browns & crisps evenly on the top.
• Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tin. This can be served warm or cold.

Recipe Notes: if you can't find wholemeal rye flour, it's fine to double the plain flour

Try our Carrot Cake Cup Cakes. Or other Sweet Spice baking recipes include Gingerbread Man Cookies, Fruit Loaf, a delicious Apple Tart, Carrot Cake or Oaty Biscuits.

You can also use this blend in delicious Mulled Cider or even to make sugar syrup for Cocktails!

You can also use the sweet spice in savoury dishes - try mixing with maple syrup and using as a glaze on your Roast Ham or try our Afghan Curry Recipe, Christmas Bread Sauce or Chicken Shawarma recipes.