Print

German Plum Cake with Streusel Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 68 reviews

This traditional German Plum Cake with Streusel is a delightful baked dessert featuring a soft yeast dough topped with fresh, juicy plums and a buttery crumbly streusel. Perfect for showcasing seasonal plums, this cake offers a wonderful combination of tart fruit and sweet, crunchy topping baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)

For the Topping:

  • 1 ½–2 lbs fresh plums (halved and pitted)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

For the Streusel:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active.
  2. Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, remaining granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients together until a smooth, soft, and slightly sticky dough forms.
  3. Let Dough Rise: Cover the bowl and place the dough in a warm spot. Allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size, becoming light and airy.
  4. Prepare the Streusel: In a small bowl, mix the flour and sugar for the streusel. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly with coarse crumbs.
  5. Press Dough Into Pan: Grease a rectangular baking pan and gently press the risen dough evenly across the bottom, forming the base of the cake.
  6. Add Plums and Sugar: Arrange the halved and pitted plums in rows on top of the dough, placing them cut-side up. Sprinkle the plums evenly with granulated sugar and cinnamon if using, to enhance the flavor.
  7. Add Streusel Topping: Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel crumb topping over the layer of plums, covering the surface generously.
  8. Bake: Place the baking pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the streusel topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling and cooked through.

Notes

  • Use ripe but firm plums to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
  • For a slight crunch on the crust, you can pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding plums and streusel.
  • Cinnamon is optional but adds a warm spice note that complements the plums well.
  • Make sure the butter for the streusel is cold to achieve the best crumbly texture.
  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing to let the juices set.

Keywords: German plum cake, streusel cake, plum dessert, yeast dough cake, baked plum cake, German dessert recipe, fruit cake with streusel

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/german-plum-cake-with-streusel-recipe/