Plum Coffee Cake

Plums: has there ever been a more under-rated fruit?  I think not.  This Plum Coffee Cake is the answer to the burning question at this time of year… “what on earth do I do with all these plums!?”.   The sweet plums are complimented with a thin moist lemony cake with a crunchy nutty streusel topping.

With a plum tree of our own I have the pleasure of getting creative with buckets of fruit that make their way into my home at this time of year.  Plum season marks the beginning of fall, where the cozy sweaters get pulled out of the closet and hot mugs of milky tea are on repeat.  Sign me up.

What Variety of Plum is Best for Baking?

There are many varieties of plums: ours is an Italian plum tree.  I love how the pit comes out easily and adore the sweet and tart flavour.  My grandparents had the same type of plum tree when we grew up, and I used to sit in that tree and eat plums until my belly hurt.  While you can use any freestone plum for this recipe, the Italian plums are my preference.  This Plum Coffee Cake recipe would also work well with any other stone fruit such as peaches or nectarines.

I tend to make two of these cakes (just double the recipe) to give to friends and family. Instant popularity should you be so inclined (like I was clearly based on my pictures).

When are Plums in Season?

In the Okanagan, plums are in season typically between mid-August (depending on the area and variety) and the end of September.  Of course, this may vary depending on where in the world the plums are grown!

Nutrition Value of Plums

Plums are rich in fibre, potassium and vitamin C.  A few plums added to a lunch kit or as an afternoon snack is a great choice.  At this time of year we could all use a boost of vitamin C to bolster our immune systems, and potassium (one of the most important minerals in the body) helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals. Thanks to their dark skins, plums are also rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, plant compounds that help protect against cell damage.

Other Plum Recipes

If you like plums (and who doesn’t!?), we have you covered.  These Whole Wheat Plum Scones are heaven-sent on a crisp Sunday morning, and these Roasted Plum Yogurt Parfaits with Cardamom Granola are made for busy weekdays.  If you’re looking for a baking project, look no further than these Plum Oat Bran Muffins that have been on repeat over here.

Plum Coffee Cake

5 from 1 vote

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Plum Coffee Cake

A moist coffee cake with a hint of lemon and the most delicious nutty streusel to top.

Course Baking

Cuisine American

Keyword coffee cake, Plum

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Fraiche

Ingredients

Streusel

• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cake

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda sifted*
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt plain or vanilla
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 10-12 Italian prune plums washed & halved, pits removed

Instructions

Make the Streusel

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9" baking pan (square or round). Prepare the streusel by mixing together all of the ingredients; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together at high speed until light. Add the egg and beat until fluffy.

3. Add the yogurt, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest and beat until smooth. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just mixed, scraping the sides of the bowl.

4. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread to smooth with a rubber spatula. Place the plum halves cut-side-down arranged on top of the batter in your pan.

5. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.  Serve as-is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.