Sweet and crumbly cake with a pleasing plum taste makes for a tea time treat that's as pretty as it is delicious.

The English know that afternoon tea should be served with a light bite on the side. Made with the freshest stone fruit of the season and brightened with a hint of tart lemon, this simple plum cake recipe dainty flavours are the perfect companion for a spot of hot tea and a dollop of fresh cream. But careful, this ambrosial delight is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it all yourself!

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 4 plums, pitted and halved

 

Directions

1 To make this cake recipe, preheat the oven to 375ºF and grease and flour one round 9" fluted springform pan.

2 In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

3 Using an electric mixer, beat the butter in a separate bowl until soft and fluffy. Slowly add the sugar, ¼ cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

4 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest and continue to beat. Once the wet ingredients are fully combined, slowly beat in the flour mixture until a batter is formed.

5 Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Arrange the plums, skin side down, over the batter. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Transfer onto a rack and allow to cool before serving.

Prep time 20 mins.

Serves 6 to 8.