Marian Burros' Plum Torte
Serves 8
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 10 to 12 Italian prune plums, pitted and halved lengthwise
- Turbinado sugar and ground cinnamon for sprinkling
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer or handheld beaters, cream the sugar and butter until very light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Add the dry ingredients and the eggs all at once, and beat until combined, scraping down the bowl once or twice.
- Spread the batter into an 8 or 9-inch spring form pan. Arrange the plum halves, skin side up, on top of the batter in concentric circles. Sprinkle the batter and fruit lightly with turbinado sugar and cinnamon (I use about 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, but adjust these to your taste).
- Bake the torte for 40 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cake in its pan on a rack for 10 minutes, and then release the spring and let it finish cooling just on the base. Once it's cool, serve as soon as possible. Or, you can double-wrap the torte in foil, put it in a sealed plastic bag and freeze (for up to one year!). Note: to serve a torte that has been frozen, defrost it completely and then reheat it for 5 to 10 minutes in a 300-degree oven.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
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4 months ago Yayita
I had heavenly modify this recipe, as I didn't have the specified Italian prune plums that were called for so I substituted it with regular plums. I also didn't have turbinado sugar so I used regular white sugar. I did not sift my flour but I did make sure to cream my butter for a solid 7mins (5mins using my standup mixer and 2min by hand as the paddles didn't get the small amount thoroughly mixed) as this usually dictates how fluffy your cake will come out.
When it came to pouring the batter into a 9in springform, I was concerned that the batter wouldn't be enough to even cover the 9in springform so I decided to use a 9in tart pan. This appeared to be the just the right size as it's not very deep but as I started arranging the plum slices I knew it was too shallow as I could imagine the cake rising beyond the height of the tart pan. I ended up using only 4 cut up plums and that ended up covering most of the surface area of the batter (arranged these in concentric circles). As this was baked, the cake rose and went past the tart's rim but it did not spill over. The cake itself was very shallow given the amount of batter and the plums on top appear to weigh it down a bit. The ratio of plum to cake is about ~3:8 (0.40) which is perfect for me. Also the plums were pretty tart so adding the sugar on top of the batter and sliced plums helped balance the tartness and sweetness. Overall, I was pleased with the taste but surprised to see how shallow of a cake this ended up being (height was ~1in).
11 months ago Louisa Barash
I made this on an 8" pan and it was great, but just barely enough batter. I want to make a bigger cake and was goig to double the batter and use a 10" inch pan. Any thoughts on how I should adjust the baking temp or time?
10 months ago Jeff Potter
Louisa, if I had to guess, I would try dropping the oven temperature ever so slightly -- maybe 340°F instead of 350°F -- and extend the baking time by 20 minutes, checking a toothpick at the 50 minute point and every 5 to 10 minutes thereafter.
If you do try it, would love to hear what you observe!
11 months ago Alex Gabriel
I love this torte - it's not too sweet, it's moist, and quick to make. I blended the eggs in with the butter and sugar before adding the dry ingredients. I think it makes it easier to mix; just my preference. Delicious.
about 1 year ago jeanmarieok
I love this cake - it's really forgiving. I've made it at the beach with a fork and peaches, blueberries, raspberries (about 1 1/4 cups or so berries or chopped fruit). I butter the springform pan, then coat in cinnamon sugar, bottom and sides. I've never had a sticking problem. I've used plums, peaches, blueberries, etc. All delicious.
over 1 year ago beejay45
Geeze, people! If you prefer the original recipe or a different adaptation, then use that one. This is the version that Merrill took the time to post. Either use it or not, but all this kvetching is nuts.
almost 2 years ago MsJoanie
This IS a tasty recipe but I found the batter so strange, I almost abandoned making it. For anyone worried their batter is too thick, or there is not enough batter, have no fear, it will puff up and spread in the oven. Although my smaller eight inch cakes were still less than two inches tall.
I also think Italian prune plums grown in Idaho must be a different breed. 10-12 of them was more than enough for two cakes. I actually used 15 plums and made three total cakes; one a double-batch in a 10 inch springform which turned out the best of the three, since it was a thicker cake. For that one, I actually chopped the plums smaller than in half, since I found them hard to cut in the tender cake. But I still placed them skin side up around the surface. I am curious if anyone has had success just mixing in chunks.
Know also that it's difficult to remove the cake from the base of the springform, so I took to loosening it with a hard plastic spatula as soon as the cake was cool enough to handle. I might try parchment rounds in the future.
almost 2 years ago Iris9
Just made this and it's divine. I added a teaspoon of vanilla to the batter and lemon juice over the plums as per the original version. It's excellent. Next time I'm going to try it with different fruit and a wee bit less sugar.
almost 2 years ago Anne Taylor Davis
Marian Burros Adapted Plum Torte...and why the adapted and not the original...or Late Summer Plum Cake...which has the lesser amount of sugar?
almost 2 years ago Cheryl
I made this cake the other day and about 10 minutes into the baking, I stopped in my tracks and realized I had DOUBLED the butter! I thought of all kinds of crazy ideas but in the end my calm husband suggested I let it bake. And, it turned out good....right on the edge of too rich, but good. We still have lots of plums and I'm going to try again using the correct amount.
almost 2 years ago Eliana Bondra
I was wondering which you would recommend more: this cake or the Late Summer Plum Cake that you also tried? I am sure they are both delicious but having tested each, do you have a favorite? Thanks!
about 2 years ago re-arranging_jars
I've made this twice, once with late summer plums and just last night with early spring rhubarb. Excellent! Perfect with a little vanilla ice cream and you can make it ahead for a dinner party.
almost 3 years ago Franca
Sublime
almost 3 years ago Lenore Krueckeberg
works well in 8" square disposable aluminum pan
almost 3 years ago Audrey
What a delicious cake. It looks beautiful and is not fussy to make. My spring form pan is too large, so I used a regular cake pan that I lined with foil. Perfect.
almost 3 years ago Gretchen @ Backyardnotes
This is a great cake! I found the recipe in 2004 and it has become a staple; a reliable last minute, go-to dessert recipe. It works with ANY juicy fruit; blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, etc. And you can use frozen fruit as well, no need to thaw the fruit. It is delicious, not too sweet and the fruit is the star. Always gets raves! It holds up well for several days.
almost 3 years ago VickyD
The recipe says serve immediately…is this still good the 2nd day or does is dry out? I want to serve it tonight for my husband and I and maybe try to use it for a small dinner party tomorrow too… Thank you!
over 3 years ago Linda
Something is missing here. The original Marian Burros recipe that called for lemon juice was one off the most highly requested New York Times recipes. Search out the recipe. It is fabulous.
over 3 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Linda, please see my comment below -- this is a later version also written by Marian Burros that was printed in the Times as well.
over 3 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
I've made both versions many times and prefer the one with less sugar, but of course the choice is yours.
over 3 years ago HalfPint
HalfPint is a trusted home cook.
I've made the Smitten Kitchen's version of this cake twice in the last 2 weeks. It's so easy, simply delicious, even with less than spectacular black plums. It's good the day it's made, but even better when it's had a chance to 'age' overnight, at room temp.
almost 4 years ago isabelita
Not quite the same recipe, but close. You omitted the lemon juice and Turbinado sugar was not used, but ok. I always feel that if a recipe is going to be adapted, it should be exact. Wonder what Ms. Burros would say. I'll stick to hers.
almost 4 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
This is actually one of her later versions, with a little less sugar than the original and no lemon juice.
over 3 years ago zubzubzubzub
If it's adapted, then by definition it isn't exact, but okay.
almost 4 years ago rlb4
I've been making this ever since the recipe was published. The only wrinkle I introduced is to wrap the bottom of a springform pan with aluminum foil so that the torte can be removed from the pan easily. It can be peeled off when the torte cools, or if you freeze it, after you are ready to defrost it at a later date.
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