Description
Zwetschgenkuchen is a traditional German plum cake made with a soft yeast dough base, topped with tart Italian plums and optional buttery streusel. It’s a comforting dessert perfect for late summer and early fall.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (for dough)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for dough)
1/2 tsp salt
1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
1 egg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 lbs Italian plums (Zwetschgen), halved and pitted
1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for streusel)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for streusel)
Instructions
- Mix lukewarm milk with yeast and a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Knead into a smooth dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a mixer.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, wash, halve, and pit the plums.
- To make the streusel (optional), mix flour and sugar, then rub in the cold butter until crumbly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough and press it into a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or dish.
- Arrange the plum halves in tight rows, skin side down, slightly overlapping.
- Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon if using, then top with streusel.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until edges are golden and plums are tender.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm with whipped cream.
Notes
You can substitute Italian plums with regular plums, apricots, peaches, or apples.
Shortcrust pastry can be used instead of yeast dough.
Add almond slivers or apricot jam for variations.
Let the cake cool completely before storing.
To reheat, warm slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.
For a vegan version, use plant-based milk, a flax egg, and vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
