Dancing with Sugar Plums: visions for a golden plum cake from dreamland

Bottom

• 1 1/8 cup gluten-free all purpose flour (Arrowhead Mills baking mix) If you are not interested in the gluten free option, you can use an organic pastry flour instead
• 1/3 cup ground almonds
• 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron
• pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt (fage)
• 6 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 yoke of egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

Filling

• 1 3/4-2 cup sweet golden plums, sliced thinly and depitted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1-2 whole eggs, beaten (depending upon how "custardy" you like)
• 4-6 ounces organic cane sugar (depending upon sweetness of plums)
• 1/8 teaspoon saffron stamens
• 1/4 teaspoon fine zest of fresh lemon
• 2 drops of almond extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon plum brandy or amaretto
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon
• sprinkle of demerara sugar and fresh nutmeg
• 1 ounce toasted almonds
• ice cream, whipped cream and/or sprinkle of confectionery sugar for final touches

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grind the almonds in a coffee grinder.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together for the bottom .
3. Next mix in the yogurt.
4. Add the oil one spoonful at a time.
5. Add the yoke and spices. The mixture will consolidate quickly and remain crumbly-looking.
6. Press this mix into your baking dish (@10") with an even pressure so the dough is thin (about 1/4" or even a bit less than that). Create walls that are 1 " tall. You can work quickly with this dough because it is so easy to work with, I find.
7. Crimp the top of the wall with your favorite technique. I pinch a pattern with my thumb and forefinger. You can set this shell aside (even chill and use the next day).
8. Sugar the plums with 3-4 tbl. organic cane sugar (depending upon their sweetness), a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
9. Whisk the cream and eggs together for the filling. If you want a more custard-like filling, use two full eggs. If not, use just one egg.
10. Add the remaining cane sugar, saffron, almond extract, zest, juice, and brandy to the cream.
11. Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture into the shell. Arrange your plums on top. Pour in the remaining cream to fill the shell. Do not overfill.
12. Top with toasted almonds, cinnamon and a sprinkle of demerara sugar and fresh nutmeg.
13. Bake @25-30 minutes until golden brown and set even in the middle. Let cool for several hours or overnight so the filling sets further.
14. Sift powdered sugar on top just before serving (slightly warm) with ice cream or whipped cream, listen to the Nutcracker, and savor every magical bite.