Wednesday, July 10, 2013

THB: #21 ~ Plum-Polka Dot Caramel Cake

Welcome to The Home Bakers
and its our 21st bake from
Lou Seibert Pappas' Coffee Cake, simple, sweet and savory!
Coffee Cakes: Simple, Sweet and Savory
note:
We are currently baking from "Coffee Cakes" by Lou Seibert Pappas
Want to join us? Get the full details here
Cannot get this book from your local bookstore? 
Get it either here or here!

I am hostess for the 2nd time and I chose
Plum-Polka Dot Caramel Cake!
a spicy cake strewn with toasty almonds and flavored with brown sugar, puffs up between
tangy plum or apricot halves for this easy-to-bake breakfast delight.
The scalloped sides of the a tart pan lend a decorative touch to the cake wedges.
I used apricots but looking forward to baking this again but with plums
Recipe adapted from page 25 of 
Coffee Cakes, simple, sweet and savory

For Cake Batter: (my substites in RED)
4 tbspn (1/2 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 tspn vanilla extract
2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 tspn freshly grated or ground nutmeg (I used 5 spice)
1/4 tspn salt
6 plums or apricots, halved and pitted, or 3 nectarines, pitted and sliced, or 3 peaches or pears, peeled, pitted or cored and sliced.

For Streusel Topping:
2 tbspn firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tspn unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tspn cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
1/3 cup (1.5 oz) slivered or sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 375F. Butter and flour a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, nutmeg, and salt.  Stir to blend.  Add to the creamed mixture, beating until smooth.  Spread evenly in the prepared pan.  Arrange the fruit on top, cavity side up.

To make the streusel topping: in a medium bowl or a food processor, combine the brown sugar, flour, butter, and nuts.  Cut the butter in with your fingers or process until crumbly.  Sprinkle evenly over the batter.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and the fruit is tender. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove the pan sides.  Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges.

Makes one 10-inch cake; serves 6 to 8 
By the way, this freezes well.  Enjoyed a toasted wedge last night!

20 comments:

  1. Good morning Emily,
    Baking with apricots looks wonderful! I was at the market this morning and was so tempted to buy the fresh apricots as plums are out of season now. But am still waiting for the oven! I will be a few days late for this bake!

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    1. Saw plums at the market last week, hopefully can still find them tomorrow.

      Wishing your oven's early arrival! What make are you getting to replace the old one?

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    2. Hi Emily,
      Finally baked the cake this morning, my post is up!
      I bought Europa Ovenmate Professional. Am baking a bread now! Haha! Yup, a long-list indeed!

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    3. Googgled it and its AWESOME!

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  2. This looks so good. My family enjoyed this cake. Great choice!

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    1. Waiting for your post! I have only three slices left!

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  3. Seasonal & delicious cake with lovely summery color! Just got back from holiday, will be baking this cake soon! Happy hosting Emily ! ;)

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    1. Hi Kit, Good to know you are back from holidays and raring to bake! Looking forward to your post!

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  4. hi emily, will be baking this cake a little late. Dont mind yaa!

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  5. thanks for the tip on freezing! I'm going to try this this weekend!

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  6. Hi Emily,

    Due to winter, I was thinking of substituting plum with pears but decided not to bake this at all due to other commitment.

    So sorry that I can't participate this bake.

    Zoe

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    Replies
    1. No worries, but pear was a good idea! We bake together2 for #22!

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  7. Nice cake Emily...I like the idea of adding fruits...I wish for a slice of this cake now.
    Hope you are having a great week :D

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    1. Hi Juliana,
      Thanks for dropping and leaving a comment. Have a great weekend!

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  8. Hi Emily, I've been missing for quite awhile. Will try to find time to bake this. My oven has been left idling for a long time... great looking: )

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    1. Hi Eileen,
      Welcome back! Re boot your baking with #21 !!!

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  9. Thank you for choosing this bake Emily! Though I substituted the plums with pears, it was still very yummy! Let's bake together again for the next bake! :)

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    1. Hiya Jasline, It was good wasn't it!!?? Every type of fruit seem to work!

      Going shopping for Gruyere cheese next!

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