French Almond Plum Cake
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This delicious rustic-elegant French Almond Plum Cake recipe features a delightfully delicate crumb infused with the flavor of almonds and juicy plums. It’s easy to make, works equally well with apricots or cherries, and is a guaranteed hit wherever you serve it!
The French love their plums and when in season the end of summer through early fall you’ll find them featured in a variety of delicious ways. Everything from clafoutis, flaugnardes and galettes to panna cotta, tarts, served alongside duck or transformed into sweet chilled soups, plums (including the tiny mirabelle’s, “la quetsche”) are revered for their flavor and versatility.
Here is a delicious French almond plum cake I developed after getting back from our recent family trip through France and inspired by some of our indulgent samplings across Normandy, Picardy, Brittany, Ille-de-France and the Loire Valley.
This delicious French Almond Plum Cake features a delightfully delicate crumb infused with the flavor of almonds and the moistness of juicy plums that gently seep into the cake while baking. It’s very easy to make and is always a hit wherever I serve it.
French Almond Plum Cake Recipe
Let’s get started!
Beat the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, almond extract, vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
In a separate bowl combine the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture along with the lemon zest and beat until combined.
Spoon the batter into the greased springform and spread it evenly.
Toss the halved stone fruit in a bowl with the lemon juice and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.
Place the stone fruits on top of the batter skin side up leaving a little space in between each fruit.
Sprinkle with flaked or slivered almonds.
Bake for one hour in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Remove and let cool completely. Remove the rim of the springform pan.
If desired lightly dust the cake with some powdered sugar.
Serve the cake as is or with a dollop of whipped cream of crème fraîche.
Enjoy!
Can I Substitute Other Fruits in This Cake?
You sure can. This cake serves as wonderfully versatile base recipe for other stone fruits. Apricots and cherries are two other exceptionally delicious options that pair beautifully with almonds. I highly recommend you try all three versions! French Almond Apricot Cake, French Almond Cherry Cake, French Almond Plum Cake…they’re all amazing!
How Well Does This Cake Store?
This cake is best enjoyed the day of while it’s still lightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. But kept in an airtight container it will easily store for up to two days.
Can I Freeze French Almond Plum Cake?
Yes. As already noted, if you want to retain a little light crispiness on the exterior crumb this cake is best enjoyed the same day but it can be frozen for up to a month. Remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. You can also gently heat it up a little in the oven or microwave.
Be sure to also try my German Plum Cake!
For more delicious French goodies try my:
- Cherry Clafoutis
- Blackberry Clafoutis
- Nonnettes
- French Lavender Almond Cake
- French Almond Cake with Green Tea Honey Glaze
- Canelé
- Pot de Crème
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French Almond Plum Cake
Ingredients
- 12 Italian plums , or apricots or equivalent pitted cherries, washed and pitted (Italian plums recommended; more fleshy/less water
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , room temperature
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon quality pure almond extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest , finely grated
- 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sliced (or slivered) almonds
- light dusting of powdered sugar (optional)
- crème fraîche or whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 8-10 inch springform (depending on how tall you want the cake. Bake a few minutes less if using 10 inch).
- Place the halved stone fruits in a bowl with the lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and stir to combine. Set aside. In a small bowl combine the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate medium bowl beat the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, almond extract, vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture along with the lemon zest and beat until combined.
- Spoon the batter into the greased springform and spread it evenly. Place the stone fruits on top of the batter skin side up leaving a little space in between each fruit. Sprinkle with flaked or slivered almonds. Bake for one hour. Remove and let cool completely. Remove the rim of the springform pan. If desired, lightly dust the cake with some powdered sugar. Serve the cake as is or with a dollop of whipped cream of crème fraîche.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet August 31, 2019
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
In September, when nothing is left but hard (unripe) refrigerated fruit, I used raspberries and it was delicious!
Great choice, Mary, I’m happy you enjoyed it and appreciate the feedback!
These has potential to be heavenly but was far too sweet for me. I’m not much of a baker so I’m afraid to make modifications. Can I just reduce the sugar?
Hi Stacy, yes you can. The general guideline for reducing sugar is that you can reduce it by up to 25% without it negatively impacting the texture.
Can I make this with dried plums (prunes) when fresh plums are out of season?
Hi Helen, I have only made this with fresh plums so I can’t comment on how prunes will do texture-wise. If you give it a try let us know how it goes!
Thanks Kimberley. It was a hit with the family. Recipe so simple.
Helen.
Thank you so much, Helen, I’m happy everyone enjoyed it!
Could I use a 9 inch pie plate if I don’t have spring form pan?
Hi Rose, yes, that should work. Happy baking!
Hey, great recipe and fantastic photos. Mine was tasty and crunchy on top, however the plums got thourouly swallowed in the the cake and the presentation wasn’t even close to the photos above .. Any idea why this happened?
Hi, I’ve made this probably a couple dozen times and have never had that happen. It sounds like your batter wasn’t dense enough. Did you make any alterations to the recipe (ingredients, method, oven temp, pan type/size)?
I think I haven’t changed anything. Even tried it for a second time and added almost double the amount of almond flour. It is super tasty both times, but still the same issue with the plums … :)
Hi Kimberly! I must inform you that it turned out my oven wasn’t working properly, that’s why I had the problem I shared previously. This is our new favourite cake now and I am really grateful I found it here. Thank you!
That’s great, Salvialis, I’m so glad you figured out the problem with your oven and were able to resolve it!
DELICIOUS! I’m baking my second now. I have competition with my German friend who makes an awesome Plum Kutchen but my Swiss husband loves this cake. Easy but the combined ingredients make it yummy.
Thank you so much, Christine, I’m thrilled you both enjoyed it!
This was really good. The almond extract really adds great flavor. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Kim, thank you! :)