Tag Archives: sweets

Plum Torte-Smitten Kitchen

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Marian Burros’s plum torte is a cult classic in which a mass of plums are coated with cinnamon sugar and baked into a pancake-like batter, where they melt into pie-like pockets and you definitely don’t want to miss it. It’s the perfect September baked good. This is ideal with blueish/purple Italian prune plums, but if you can’t find them, other plums will do. The internet is full of riffs on the cake, like cutting the sugar back to 3/4 cup (feel free to, although I didn’t find the 1 cup too sweet at all), with or without lemon juice, ranges of cinnamon (1 teaspoon is the original amount; 1 tablespoon was a typo that’s not bad at all, but I usually use the smaller amount). I’m not immune, either: I sometimes start by browning the butter and letting it cool to room temp before whisking the batter together by hand. In 2023, I’ve made a few minor updates: Sharing how I one-bowl the cake,and bumping up the salt (previously: a large pinch).

2024 Plum Torte Updates

  • 1 cup (200 grams) plus 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (use less for sweeter plums)
  • 1/2 cup (115 grams or 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder (ideally aluminum-free)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 12 smallish purple Italian purple plums, halved and pitted
  • 2 teaspoons (10 grams) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch springform [I have this one] with butter or nonstick spray. For even easier removal, line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. 

In a large bowl, beat butter and 1 cup (200 grams) of the sugar together with an electric mixer until fluffy and lighter in color. Add the eggs, one at a time and scraping down the bowl. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt over batter and mix it until just combined. 

Spoon batter into prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Arrange the plum tightly in the pan, skin side up, all over the batter, covering it. Sprinkle the top with lemon juice, then cinnamon, then remaining sugar.

Bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into a center part of the cake comes out free of batter (but of course not plum juice), about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on rack.

Once cool, if you can stand it, and I highly recommend trying, leave it at room temperature overnight as this cake is even better on the second day, when those plum juices further release into the cake around it, becoming not just “cake with plum,” but cakeplumughyum (official terminology, there). If planning more than 2 to 3 days out, I’ll store the cake in the fridge for longevity.

Glace Mixed Fruit Bundt Cake from lordbyronskitchen.com

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  • 250 grams cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans
  • 2 cups glace mix
  • In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer to cream together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar.
  • Add the eggs one at a time and blend into the mixture.
  • Add the vanilla and incorporate well.
  • Add 2 cups of the flour and baking powder, and continuing to use the mixer, blend well into the butter and cream cheese mixture.
  • In a small bowl, toss the glace mix and the nuts with 1/4 cup of flour. Be sure to toss well to coat every piece in the bowl.
  • Add the flour-covered nuts and fruit to the batter and fold in with a spatula.
  • Grease and flour a bundt cake pan and pour in the batter.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes.
  • Allow cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.
  • Cool completely; dust with confectioner’s sugar and enjoy!

Fraughan fool from BBC

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150g (a little over 5oz) fraughans or blueberries, plus more for garnish
1 tsp white sugar
juice of half a lemon, plus zest for garnishing
2 large thyme sprigs, plus leaves for garnishing
250ml (8½oz) double cream

This recipe is based on the simple treat of fraughans, cream and sugar for an easy-to-make dessert. It’s perfect with blueberries as well.

150g (a little over 5oz) fraughans or blueberries, plus more for garnish
1 tsp white sugar
juice of half a lemon, plus zest for garnishing
2 large thyme sprigs, plus leaves for garnishing
250ml (8½oz) double cream

Step 1
Put the fraughans or blueberries in a medium saucepan. Add the sugar, lemon juice and thyme sprigs. Cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes until the berries start to break down and thicken but retain some of their shape. Remove the thyme sprigs and set the compote aside to cool.

Step 2
In a medium bowl, whip the cream until it is thick enough to hold its shape when the compote is stirred in; if it’s too soft it will collapse. Gently fold half of the cooled compote into the whipped cream to ripple through.

Step 3
Spoon the whipped berry cream into individual servings and drizzle over more compote. Garnish with lemon zest, thyme leaves and extra berries.

Blueberry Bakewell Muffins, Chetna Makan

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Muffins
 ½ cup/1 stick unsalted butter, softened

 ½ cup granulated sugar

 ¼ packed cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature

2 tablespoons whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour

scant ⅓ cup almond flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking sode

1 pinch table salt

¾ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon blueberry or raspberry jam

Almond Topping
¼ packed cup light brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons almond flour

1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Heat the oven to 355°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tin with 14 paper liners (the bottoms of the baked muffins are quite moist, so paper liners are preferable to butter or baking spray).

Make the topping. In a medium bowl mix together the 50 grams (¼ packed cup) brown sugar, 15 grams (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour, and 12 grams (2 tablespoons) almond flour. Use your fingers to rub in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add the sliced almonds and toss to combine, then place the crumb topping in the refrigerator while you prepare the muffin batter.

Make the muffin batter
. In a large bowl, with a whisk or an electric hand mixer on low, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and 50 grams (¼ packed cup) brown sugar until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the sour cream, milk, and vanilla and beat until smooth and combined.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the 200 grams (1 ⅔ cups) all-purpose flour, the 32 grams (scant ⅓ cup) almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the large bowl and beat just until combined and no flour streaks remain. Gently fold in the blueberries with a rubber spatula. 

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin tins. Spoon ½ teaspoon of jam on top of each muffin and use an offset spatula or a butter knife to smooth the batter. Sprinkle the chilled topping over each muffin. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until the muffins are golden, set, and spring back when lightly poked. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing and letting them cool completely on a wire rack.

Brownie in a Mug from celebrating sweets.com

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3 tablespoons granulated sugar
 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch salt
 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, plus more for topping
 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil, melted coconut oil or melted butter
3 tablespoons milk
 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
 Ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar, berries for garnish
Instructions
Place sugar, flour, cocoa powder and salt in a mug. Use a small whisk or fork, and stir until combined, and free of lumps. Stir in chocolate chips. Add oil, milk and vanilla, stir with a spoon or small rubber spatula until just combined (try not to over mix it). 

Sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips over the top and cook in the microwave for about 90 seconds (microwave times may vary). Eat immediately with ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or berries.

Notes
I have a used a 12oz and 16oz mug for this recipe.
Although this is a single serving dessert, you can easily split this between 2 adults.

banana toffee cake from smitten kitchen

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You can also bake this cake in an 8×8-inch square (I cut this into 16 small squares) or 9-inch round cake (8 to 12 wedges) single cake layer — do so for 25 to 27 minutes, until until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out batter-free. I suspect you’re about to ask me why there is molasses and some white sugar in this cake when molasses + white sugar = brown sugar, but I feel that the white sugar keeps the cake from being too gummy and the molasses adds a slightly intense balance that brown sugar does not.

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces or 115 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt
  • 1/2 cup (95 grams) packed dark brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (75 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses or treacle
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup (170 grams) mashed bananas (2 medium bananas, or about 12 ounces unpeeled)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, well-shaken
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 3/4 cups (230 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons (2 ounces or 55 grams) unsalted butter, cold is fine
  • 1 cup (235 ml) heavy cream, divided (half for sauce, half for whipping)
  • 1/2 cup (95 grams) dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt plus more to finish
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make cake: Heat oven to 350°F. Coat 12 standard muffin cups in butter or with nonstick spray. 

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, salt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, molasses, and vanilla until combined. Add mashed banana and whisk again. Add eggs and whisk until incorporated, then buttermilk. Sprinkle baking soda and baking powder on batter and whisk until combined and then (don’t skip this), 10 to 20 more times, ensuring that it very well dispersed in the bowl. Add flour and mix only until it disappears. Divide batter between 12 cups.

Bake 14 to 16 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cakes comes out batter free. 

While the cakes bake, make the toffee sauce: Combine butter, 1/2 cup of the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in a larger saucepan than you think you’ll need over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer, whisking frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes — the mixture thickens slightly. Add a couple pinches of salt and vanilla. 

… And whipped cream: In a medium-large clean bowl, beat remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream with an electric or you-powered whisk until it forms soft peaks. Don’t add sugar to this; I promise it does not need it.

To serve: Remove one warm cake from the muffin tin and either plate it dome side-up or you can cut the dome off the cake with a serrated knife and serve the cake upside-down, as shown. (You can use the cake tops to pacify hangry people in your kitchen.) Ladle the cake generously with the toffee sauce, finish with a big dollop of the cream and a few flakes of sea salt. Repeat with remaining cakes.

Do ahead: I find whipped cream keeps for many hours in the fridge without a problem, but if you’re worried, you can use this trick to keep it for several days. The sauce keeps for a week or two; it can be reheated in about 20 seconds in the microwave, just until it liquefies, or back on the stove in a small saucepan. The cake keeps for 3 to 4 days at room temperature in an airtight container before seeming stale to me. If you can gently rewarm it before serving, all the better.

flies in the cemetery

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For the Pastry

  • 300 g Plain Flour
  • 150 g Butter (chilled)
  • 50 g Icing Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 2-3 tsp Cold Water

For the Filling

  • 200 g Currants
  • 75 g Sugar
  • 50 g Butter (softened)
  • 1 tsp Mixed Spice
  • Pre-heat your oven to 180°c (or 160°c for a fan assisted oven or Gas Mark 4) and grease a 20cm by 28cm baking tray with a little butter. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using your fingers, rub the flour and butter together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir through the sugar before adding the egg. Mix until combined, adding a teaspoon of cold water as required and knead into a soft pastry dough.
  • Wrap the dough in cling film and place in the fridge to cool and firm up, whilst preparing the filling.
  • In a bowl mix the currants, sugar, butter and mixed spice until combined. 
  • Remove the pastry from the fridge and roll to 0.5cm thickness and cut into two large rectangles, about the size of your tray. Place on pastry rectangle onto your pre-greased tray.
  • Spoon the currant mixture evenly onto the pastry on the baking tray, leaving a small gap around the edges. Wet the edges with a little water. Place the other sheet of pastry on top of the currants and gently press the edges together with your fingers, before finishing with a fork.
  • Brush the top pastry with a little milk or beaten egg, before pricking a few holes on the top of the pastry
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until a light golden brown colour.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle a little sugar on top to finish. Once completely cool, cut into squares or slices of your desired size.
  • video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFIgc57VuOo
  • from scottish blog: https://bakingwithgranny.co.uk/recipe/fruit-slice-fly-cemetery/

oatmeal banana cake

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3 cups (270g) Rolled oats
1 cup (80g) Quick oats
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
3 large Bananas
1½ cups (360ml) Almond milk/coconut milk
2 tablespoons (30g) Coconut oil
2 Eggs
1/4 cup (80g) Maple syrup
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/3 cup (60g) Chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Prepare 8-inch (20cm) springform pan – line with parchment paper and grease the edges with butter.

2. In a large bowl mash the bananas, add eggs, milk, maple and vanilla extract. Whisk until combined.

3. In separate bowl mix rolled oats, quick oats, baking powder and salt.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, add chocolate chips, mix just until combined. Let sit for 5-10 to absorb the liquids. 5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. 6. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then release from the pan and let cool completely.

minute chocolate mug cake from food wishes

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  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 tablepoons toasted sliced almonds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, or as needed
  • Add all ingredients to list
  1. Whisk egg, sugar, salt, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth. Stir coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips into the mixture; whisk in milk.
  2. Place flour into a small bowl or measuring cup and stir baking powder into flour with a mini whisk or fork. Pour flour mixture over batter and whisk just until you can’t see visible flour.
  3. Divide batter evenly between 2 coffee cups. Gently tap the cups on a work surface to eliminate air bubbles.
  4. Place cups into microwave oven, one at a time. Microwave each cup on High for 60-70 seconds. Nothing will happen in the first 30 seconds; in the last 10 to 15 seconds, batter will begin to rise in the cup. Cooked cake will collapse after microwaving. Remove from oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly dust each serving with confectioners’ sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cocoa. Place each coffee cup onto a saucer and serve.
  • Cook’s Note:
  • To toast sliced almonds, place them into a dry skillet over medium heat and shake the skillet constantly until almonds are golden brown and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and let cool.

Ruthie’s Apple Cake recipe by Bonnie Stern

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2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
¼ cup orange juice
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
4 to 5 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
2 tbsp coarse sugar, optional

With an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a bowl until light. Beat in oil. Beat in orange and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture and stir until combined.

In a third bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, apples and nuts.

Spread about half of the batter in an oiled and parchment lined 9 inch spring-form pan. Spoon apples on top of this batter. Drizzle remaining batter on top of the apples. The batter on the top layer may not cover the apples completely. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for about 50 to 60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. If the cake is browning too much, cover loosely with foil and reduce oven heat to 325 degree F. Makes 8 to 12 servings.

Recipe from “Friday Night Dinners” by Bonnie Stern.