Easy Plum Kuchen
Kuchen means “cake” in German. About 20 years ago, my graduate advisor brought this cake into work for his group. His wife had baked it, and I immediately asked for the recipe. I’ve been making it on and off for the last two decades. It is very easy to throw together, and the taste is sensational! I just served it this past weekend at a dinner party. You can use red or black plums, or any other stone fruit that you prefer. I think I even once made it with pears, and it turned out really well. Go crazy with your own modifications! 😋
#Dessert #Sweet #Teatime #Brunch
Easy Plum Kuchen
Kuchen means “cake” in German. About 20 years ago, my graduate advisor brought this cake into work for his group. His wife had baked it, and I immediately asked for the recipe. I’ve been making it on and off for the last two decades. It is very easy to throw together, and the taste is sensational! I just served it this past weekend at a dinner party. You can use red or black plums, or any other stone fruit that you prefer. I think I even once made it with pears, and it turned out really well. Go crazy with your own modifications! 😋
#Dessert #Sweet #Teatime #Brunch
Cooking Instructions
- 1
Allow the butter, egg, and sour cream to come up to room temperature. This will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
- 2
Wash and slice the plums thinly (a little greater than 1/4 inch thick). Set them aside for now.
- 3
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9 inch pie plate with baking spray or shortening.
- 4
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and whisk well.
- 5
Cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This will take anywhere from 4 to 8 minutes depending on the speed and strength of your mixer. This is most easily done with a stand mixer or a handmixer.
- 6
Add the egg and continue to beat on low medium speed until completely incorporated.
- 7
Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, then mix again until completely incorporated.
- 8
Add about half of the dry ingredients to the wet, stir a bit to incorporate, then add the rest and stir until everything is just incorporated. No dry streaks should remain. Do not over mix!
- 9
Transfer the thick batter to the prepared pie plate. Spread it evenly into a level layer.
- 10
Place the sliced plums on top of the batter as shown, overlapping them slightly as you form a circle around the edge of the batter.
- 11
Complete the second circle of plums, again overlapping the slices. Add an inner circle as well.
- 12
For the topping, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the topping over the plums.
- 13
Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick tests clean.
- 14
Slice and serve as is, or with a bit of whipped cream or ice cream on the side. Refrigerate any leftovers.
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