Description
Experience the timeless comfort of a classic German Plum Cake, or Pflaumenkuchen. This seasonal specialty features a pillowy, slightly yeasted dough topped with rows of succulent, tart Italian prune plums and finished with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced streusel. Perfect for late summer harvests, this sheet-pan dessert strikes a sophisticated balance between airy texture and caramelized fruit flavors, making it an approachable yet impressive treat for any coffee hour or family gathering.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, room temperature
2 1/2 pounds Italian prune plums, halved and pitted
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (for topping)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for topping)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, yeast, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt.
Stir in warm milk, vanilla, 1/3 cup butter, and egg until a smooth dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until elastic, then cover and let rise in a warm place for 60 minutes.
Prepare the streusel by crumbling 2 1/3 cups flour, 1 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and cinnamon until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large sheet pan.
Roll out the dough to fit the pan, then arrange plum halves skin-side down in rows over the dough.
Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel generously over the plums.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the dough is golden and the fruit juices are bubbling.
Notes
Ensure the milk is lukewarm (around 110°F) to activate the yeast without killing it. For the best texture, use firm, ripe Italian prune plums. Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to a month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg