Plum Coffee Cake - To sweeten the last moment of summer

Labor day signifies the end of summer. I was sad as summer was gone, so, I sweetened the last moment of my summer with plum coffee cake.

This pretty coffee cake was moist and full of flavors, although butter wasn’t added.  The yogurt, orange zest and ground almond made the cake delicious.

Plum Coffee Cake

Plum Coffee Cake

Adapted from Joy of Baking

Ingredients:

Yield:  one 8”(20cm) or 9”(23cm) cake Cooking time: 35~45min @ 400F(205C) 1-1/4 cup (175g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) ground almonds1 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup (120ml) flavorless oil( like canola, corn or safflower ) 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk plain yogurt 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice 1 Tbsp. orange zest 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup (200g) granulated white sugar 7~8 Italian prune plums, halved and pitted2 2 Tsp. coarse brown sugar Instructions: 1. Grease one 8” (20cm) or 9” (23cm) spring form pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. 2. Preheat oven to 400 F (205 C) and place rack in center of oven. 3. In a bowl, stir or shift the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and salt. 4.  In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, yogurt, orange juice and zest, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in the sugar. 5. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined. 6. Pour the batter into the pan and evenly arrange the halved plums on top of the batter, flesh side     facing up. Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons brown sugar. 7. Bake at 400F (205C) for about 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. 3  8. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Tips: 1. Almonds meal can be found at grocery stores but I prefer to make it myself.   *How to make your own almonds meal :  Place 1 cup (100g) sliced almonds with 1Tps. Granulated white sugar in food processor and process them until finely ground.(The added sugar prevents clumping as it absorbs the oil from ground almonds)  If the almonds meal isn't use all at once, put the rest of it in airtight container and store in freezer. 2. 4~5 regular plums can be used for substitution. 3. If the sugar on top of the cake isn't caramelized, although the toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, broil the cake for 1~2 minutes.