Plum Kuchen

Kuchen? What's a kuchen? There isn't anything about that specifically in the Larousse, but according to Wiki, kuchen is German for cake and is known as a gateaux in French. And gateaux is certainly listed in the Larousse Gastronomique.

Looking specifically in the "foreign" section of the gateaux listing, I laughed when I found the German cake description:

German cakes are bulky and soft like shaving cream; they are made so that obese easily tempted men can eat them indulgently.

What is up with that? Mine didn't turn out like shaving cream but did fit the bill for one you'd want to eat indulgently.

Plum Kuchen
from Cooking Club of America
click to print

1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 lb. plums (about 4 plums), unpeeled, sliced (1 inch) (about 3 cups)
2 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350°F.

Beat butter, 1/2 cup of the sugar and brown sugar in large bowl at medium speed 3 minutes or until fluffy.


Beat in egg just until blended.


Beat in sour cream and vanilla.


Whisk flour and baking powder in small bowl.


Beat into batter at low speed 1 minute or until just moistened.


Spray bottom of 9-inch round pan with cooking spray; sprinkle lightly with flour.


Spread batter in pan.


Arrange plums over batter; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.


Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until cake is puffed and golden brown. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes or until warm.


Warm honey in microwave-safe bowl in microwave 20 to 30 seconds. Stir in cinnamon.


Brush over plums.


Serve warm.


What a fantastic little cake! The cake was delightful with it's crusty sugar top and tender crumb, the fruit soft and warm. I am quite impressed with this one and will do as the recipe description suggested and try it again, each time with peaches, nectarines or pears.

The only problem with this one is that the servings are dainty little ones. I could easily sit down and eat the entire cake in one sitting. Shamelessly.

Cost:

• butter: $0.39
• sugar: $0.12
• brown sugar: $0.13
• egg: $0.45
• sour cream: $0.50
• vanilla extract: $0.04
• flour: $0.24
• plums: $1.43
• honey: $0.15

Total: $3.45 or $0.43 for each of eight servings.

Pin It