Dried plum cake: A festive twist on holiday baking
Dried fruits are often associated with holiday dishes. They are prominent in compote and fruitcake, but they also find their way into gingerbread and even bigos. Among them, plums stand out for their distinct yet sweet taste. A cake with these added can be a delightful choice for Christmas.
Not gingerbread nor fruitcake, a cake with dried plums might not be part of traditional pastry canon, but it certainly fits the festive atmosphere. In the past, when fresh fruits were hard to come by during this season, baked goods with dried fruits were more common. Perhaps it's worth revisiting this tradition?
Healthy addition to the cake
You probably associate dried plums not only with desserts but also with healthy eating. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamins C, E, and K, as well as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and copper. Dried plums are also renowned for their positive effects on the digestive system due to their high fiber content. Nutritionists often recommend consuming at least a few of these fruits daily.
Important! Dried plums contain substantially more vitamin A than fresh ones, offering beneficial effects on eyesight and skin.
Which plums to choose?
Dried plums make a great addition to oatmeal, yogurt, salads, or smoothies; occasionally, they can be used in baking. Choose unsulfured and organic fruits that are not chemically processed. The drying process often involves blanching plums in boiling water to remove the natural wax coating, allowing better water evaporation. Dried plums vary in size, softness, and composition. Those with preservatives are softer due to higher water content and have a longer shelf life. Dried plums without preservatives are generally more expensive, as their drying process is more complex.
It doesn't have to be with cream
Drunken plum cake is perhaps the most well-known use of these fruits. However, you can make a much simpler cake without cream. It's delicious, has a spicy aroma, and is easy to prepare. It makes an excellent gingerbread alternative.
Cake with Dried Plums
Ingredients:
- 7 oz dried plums
- 5 oz butter
- 5 oz cane sugar
- 3 eggs
- 9 oz wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cardamom and cloves to taste, optional
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- Rum to taste, optional
- 3.5 fl oz milk
Preparation method:
- Chop the dried plums into small pieces.
- Melt the butter and let it cool down.
- Beat the eggs with cane sugar until fluffy, then gradually add the melted butter and milk, mixing continuously.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, cocoa, and spices.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- Add the dried plums and rum, if desired.
- Pour the batter into a springform pan and place it in a preheated oven at 355 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the cake for about 50 minutes.
