Plums meet chocolate: A decadent twist on a classic cake
No one needs convincing that chocolate and plums make a fantastic combination. Pralines with this flavour have been incredibly popular for years. I decided to recreate the taste in a cake, and it turned out even better than I expected.
The season for cakes with fresh fruit is starting, and in the meantime, I discovered the last bag of plums in the freezer. I decided to use them as soon as possible and naturally chose a sweet baked good. Frozen fruit works perfectly in such desserts.
Why are plums perfect for baking?
What can you create with plums at this time when seasonal fruit competition is so strong? I opted for the well-known combination from pralines: plums in chocolate cake. Sweet chocolate and aromatic fruit make a duo that always works.
Additionally, plums, even frozen ones, are ideal for baking. They don't fall apart during baking nor sink into the cake; instead, they stay on top, creating intricate purple patterns. The only thing to remember is to place them with the cut side up so the juice doesn't seep into the cake. This way, the fruit won't lose too much juice and will remain soft.
How to enhance the flavour of chocolate cake?
In the fall, I primarily use plums in shortcrust or yeast dough. This time, I opted for something different, inspired by well-known pralines. I wanted the plums to be embedded in a velvety chocolate mass, so I chose a brownie.
This American cake, in its classic version, is devoid of add-ins. However, nothing prevents you from enhancing its flavour with nuts or fruit. It has a moist consistency and is intensely chocolatey. I will certainly return to this recipe in the fall and bake this cake with fresh fruit again.
Chocolate cake with plums
Ingredients:
- 250 g of chocolate (you can use dark or a mix of dark and milk),
- 200 g of butter,
- 4 eggs,
- 140 g of sugar,
- 200 g of all-purpose flour,
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder,
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder,
- a pinch of salt,
- 250 g of plums (frozen or fresh),
- cinnamon, ginger, cardamom to taste (optional).
Instructions:
- Melt the butter, then add the chocolate broken into small pieces. Mix thoroughly until the chocolate melts and combines with the butter. Set aside to cool.
- Beat the eggs with sugar for a few minutes until a fluffy mass forms. Then add the melted chocolate with butter and mix.
- Transfer the batter into a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Arrange the cut plums on top and sprinkle them with spices.
- Bake the cake in an oven preheated to 175 degrees Celsius for about 35-40 minutes.
