Ciasto ze Śliwkami
My childhood Polish Plum Cake
Polish Plum Cake
(Bolo Polonês de Ameixas Frescas - Receita em Português abaixo)
Makes: 12 slices
2 pounds of plums, as ripe as you can find (900 grams / 12-16 medium plums)
2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
2 teaspoons baking powder (8 grams)
1 ½ sticks salted butter (12 tablespoons), at room temperature (preferably European style with 85% fat) + 2 tablespoons for buttering the baking dish (170 grams + 30 grams)
1 cup granulated white sugar + ¼ cup for topping the cake (200 grams + 50 grams)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lime
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons whole milk plain Greek yogurt (30 grams)
⅓ cup whole milk or water (80 mL)
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack in the middle position. Butter and flour a 9 x 13 x 2" (23 x 33 x 5 cm) baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Wash the plums, cut them in half, and remove the pits. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand whisk or an electric mixer, cream the butter and 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated white sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract, lime zest, and yogurt, mixing until combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. If using an electric mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl between additions.
Using a spatula, gently fold the sifted flour mixture into the butter mixture in three additions. Gradually add the milk (or water) and stir until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to ensure a tender cake.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan using an offset spatula and arrange the plums, skin side down, over the cake batter. Slightly overlap the plums if needed to cover the entire surface. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup (50 grams) of granulated white sugar evenly over the plums.
Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on the juiciness of the plums, so check the cake closely toward the end of the baking time.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes (be very careful to not burn yourself with the bubbly plum juices!). Cut into squares and serve warm. This cake is delicious on its own or served with a drizzle of warm honey and a dollop of cold sour cream. More a little more indulgence, I love some clotted cream!
Storing your cake
Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place it under a cake dome. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you need to store the cake for longer, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The refrigerator will help maintain its freshness but may slightly alter the texture, making it a bit denser.
To freeze, wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, move the cake from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. You can also thaw individual slices at room temperature for a quicker option.
How to reheat your cake
You can reheat slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 5-10 minutes or until warmed through, especially if stored in the fridge or freezer. This helps to restore the cake's tender texture and enhances its flavors (not at their best when cold). You can also always use the microwave: Heat on medium power (50-70%) for 20-30 seconds. Check and add additional time in 10-second intervals if needed. To avoid the cake becoming too dry, you can place a small cup of water in the microwave alongside the cake. This helps to keep moisture in the air, which can prevent it from drying out.
Antes de você conferir a receita, posso te pedir uma coisinha? Se você gosta das minhas receitas, adoraria que você apertasse o botão ❤️ para me mostrar que esteve por aqui? Isso significa mais para mim do que você imagina.
Before you check out the recipe, can I ask you a small favor? If you enjoy my recipes, I would love it if you could press the ❤️ button to show me that you were here. It means more to me than you can imagine.
