The festive allure of dried plum cake: A healthy tradition revisited
Dried fruits are closely linked to festive dishes. They reign supreme in compotes and fruitcakes, but they're also added to gingerbread and even bigos. Among them, plums are distinct due to their unique, sweet taste. A cake with their addition is an excellent choice for Christmas.
Neither gingerbread nor fruitcake, a cake with dried plums isn't part of the traditional bake repertoire, but it suits the festive atmosphere well. In days gone by, when fresh fruits were virtually unavailable during this season, baked goods with dried fruits were quite popular. Perhaps it's time to revisit that tradition?
Healthy addition to the cake
You probably associate dried plums not only with desserts but also with healthy eating. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamins C, E, and K, as well as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and copper. Dried plums are known for their beneficial effects on the digestive system because they are high in fibre. Nutritionists often recommend eating at least a few of these fruits daily.
Important! Dried plums contain significantly more vitamin A than fresh plums, which is beneficial for eyesight and skin health.
Which plums to choose?
Dried plums are great in oatmeal, yoghurt, salads, or smoothies, and can occasionally be used in cakes. Choose unsulfured and organic plums that aren’t chemically processed. During drying, blanching plums in boiling water is important as it helps remove the natural wax coating, allowing better evaporation of water. Dried plums vary in size, softness, and composition. Plums with preservatives are softer because they contain more water and have a longer shelf life. Dried plums without preservatives are generally pricier due to their more complex drying process.
It doesn’t have to be with cream
Drunken plum cake is perhaps the most famous recipe featuring these fruits, but you can also make a much simpler bake without cream. It's very tasty, has a spicy aroma, and is straightforward to prepare, making it a terrific gingerbread substitute.
Cake with dried plums
Ingredients:
- 200g dried plums,
- 140g butter,
- 140g cane sugar,
- 3 eggs,
- 250g wheat flour,
- 2 teaspoons baking powder,
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
- cardamom and cloves to taste, optional,
- 2 tablespoons cocoa,
- rum to taste, optional,
- 100ml milk.
Preparation method:
- Chop the dried plums into small pieces.
- Melt the butter and allow it to cool.
- Beat the eggs with the cane sugar until fluffy, then gradually add the melted butter and milk, mixing continuously.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, cocoa, and spices.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- Add the dried plums and rum, if desired.
- Transfer the batter to a springform pan and place it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
- Bake the cake for about 50 minutes.
