Baking · Cake

Cinnamon Plum Coffee Cake

This cinnamon plum coffee cake is tender and fragrant with a generous streusel topping that goes wonderfully crisp in the oven. The plums sink into the batter as it bakes, becoming jammy and sweet and slightly tart all at once. It is the kind of cake that looks impressive but comes together with very little fuss. A slice warm from the oven with a drizzle of cream is one of life's genuine pleasures. This is a recipe for early autumn when stone fruit is at its best and Saturdays call for something special.

Ingredients

Plum Compote

Cinnamon Streusel

Cake Base

Method

  1. 1Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
  2. 2For the plum compote, slice plums and cook with sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla over medium heat until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  3. 3For the streusel, combine cold butter, both sugars, flour, and cinnamon. Work with fingers until crumbly. Set aside.
  4. 4Beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in yogurt and vanilla.
  5. 5Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
  6. 6Whisk flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Gradually fold into wet ingredients.
  7. 7Spread half the batter into the pan, then spoon plum compote over it.
  8. 8Carefully spread remaining batter over the compote, then add more compote on top.
  9. 9Sprinkle cinnamon streusel evenly over the top.
  10. 10Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.

Tips & Notes

Stone fruit like plums work wonderfully here but you can substitute peaches or nectarines. The streusel topping should be rubbed together until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Serve warm with a drizzle of cream for an extra cozy treat.