Description
Traditional German Plum Cake (Zwetschgenkuchen) features a soft yeast dough base topped with juicy Italian plums and a buttery crumbly streusel. This rustic dessert balances tart fruit and sweet topping for a comforting, classic bake.
Ingredients
1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
¼ cup white granulated sugar
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
4 tbsp melted butter
1 large egg
1.5 lbs Italian plums, pitted and quartered
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
4 tbsp cold butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the warm milk, yeast, and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, remaining sugar, and the egg. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the plums by pitting and quartering them.
- Make the streusel by mixing the sugar and flour in a bowl, then rub in the cold butter with your fingers until crumbly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Roll or press the risen dough onto a greased 13 × 18 inch baking sheet.
- Arrange the plum quarters evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the plums.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until the crust is golden and the plums are tender.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
Add ground cinnamon to the streusel for a warmer flavor.
A small amount of vanilla can be added to the dough or streusel for extra aroma.
Chopped almonds can be mixed into the streusel for additional texture.
Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze individual slices wrapped well and thaw before reheating.
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla sauce.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
