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Close-up of a moist slice of plum cake featuring large, juicy plums and a golden crumb topping.

Easy German Plum Cake with Buttery Streusel (Zwetschgenkuchen)


  • Author: Alexander Knight
  • Total Time: 140 min
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A simple recipe for a classic German plum cake featuring fresh plums over a yeast dough base, topped with a rich, buttery streusel.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for dough)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for dough)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 pounds fresh plums, halved and pitted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the streusel: In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the 1/2 cup cold, cubed butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form. Place the streusel in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the yeast dough: Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough briefly on a lightly floured surface, about 2 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch springform pan.
  6. Punch down the risen dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  7. Arrange the halved and pitted plums tightly over the dough, cut side up.
  8. Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping evenly over the plums.
  9. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the plums are tender.
  10. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before removing the springform ring.

Notes

  • You can use a shortcrust pastry base instead of yeast dough for a quicker version.
  • If your plums are very tart, lightly dust the cut sides with sugar before topping with streusel.
  • Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving for presentation.
  • Prep Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 50 min
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: German

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 28
  • Sodium: 150
  • Fat: 18
  • Saturated Fat: 11
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 45
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 5
  • Cholesterol: 65
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