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First and foremost, anytime I receive or pick fresh fruit, I always have to enjoy it untouched. There’s no cooking, baking, or alterations required when the best of in-season produce is available.
But do you think I only eat raw fruit? I’m not a heathen! I also have to make all of my favorite fruit-inspired desserts throughout the season. And this plum cornmeal cake is my unsung hero. Crumbles, crisps, and pies are always forefront of my mind when thinking about what to make, especially with those bubbling streusel toppings.
This cake has an amazing texture and flavor, all courtesy of the cornmeal. The result is a perfectly balanced cake, just sweet enough to enjoy as dessert, but savory enough to truly taste the fruit.
What is a cornmeal cake?
At first glance, this cake looks similar to cornbread: a combination of flour, cornmeal, butter, eggs, and buttermilk. The main difference in this recipe is the ratio of all-purpose flour to cornmeal and sugar. This cake has more all-purpose flour than a traditional cornbread, to give a cake-like crumb and a soft texture. The cornmeal cuts through just enough to be noticed while not overpowering.
Unlike many cakes, this is not overly sweet. But it has the right amount of sugar to create a dessert and aid in a soft crumb.
Will this recipe work for any stone fruit?
This recipe is designed for plums. The subtle, corn-like flavor melds perfectly with the soft plums. The deep color of the plums’ skin enhances the appeal of the cake once turned upside down and creates an eye-catching presentation. That said, almost any stone fruit will work. Peaches, nectarines, and apricots will all work. For a second option, I especially enjoy apricots as a swap-out for plums.
No matter what you choose to pair with the cornmeal, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!
Watch how to make this plum cornmeal cake
Plum Cornmeal Cake
Ingredients
- 4-5 plums cut into ½-inch slices
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- 8 tbsp melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly brush butter inside an 8-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment and brush with butter. Lay pieces of sliced plum around the pan covering the bottom. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Whisk until smooth and add to the dry ingredients.
- Whisk until just combined with a few dry streaks remaining and pour over the prepared plums. Smooth to an even layer and bake in preheated oven until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 40-55 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert onto serving dish and discard parchment paper. This can be served warm or at room temperature.
Should the corn meal be self rising?
Recipe is perfect and delicious! I love that it’s not an overly sweet treat. We topped it with a dollop of whip cream and enjoyed dessert first! Thanks!
Looks great! Can I substitute Gf flour here? How about almond flour?
Hugs to Kipster.
Marcia
I thoroughly enjoy your YouTube channel! I’m a fellow Iowan as well! I made this cake and my batter came out runny like a cake batter, not thick like yours in the video. I had so much batter, I had to use two cake pans. I’m fairly confident I followed the recipe correctly, so what do you think went wrong? I enjoy your recipes immensely, but this one threw me for a loop. Thanks in advance for any solutions that I may incorporate next time I want to make this.
I’m so sorry these comments come back-to-back, but I figured out my issue. I’m an idiot; I forgot the cornmeal!! I had the cornmeal with my ingredients, but I was in a hurry, overlooked it, and forgot to add it. I used the last of our mulberries in place of the plums. It’s not a total loss, it tastes good sans the cornmeal! Thank you for your patience!
Followed the plum cornmeal cake recipe but it ran over the pan in my oven. Used 8 inch pan as the recipe said. Also I tested with a tester in 4 places and tester came out clean but after I took cake out at 50 minutes it was not at all done in center. Was absolutely runny in center. I dumped the whole thing into the garbage can. Not one of my better experiences …for sure. Can’t figure what was wrong. Made a pie this week and it baked ok.
Goshen, IN -made this cake this evening and it is perfect!!! wonderful texture and amazing flavor. This is going into my favorites collection. I am so happy to have this recipe! Thank you Kaleb!!
I made this cake last week. It came out perfect, cake was so moist. Loved that it isn’t too sweet. I will definitely be making this again.
I made yesterday but with peaches. Love the cake; my husband thought a bit dry. Nonetheless I will make again.
I made this for a family dinner. It was so delicious and everyone loved it. It is just sweet enough!
I’m not much of a baker but was inspired to make this recipe after having a similar dessert at a restaurant.
However, since it’s late September, I couldn’t find organic plums but I did find organic nectarines.
I reduced the sugar by half because I don’t like super sweet desserts.
I’m shocked at how balanced and flavorful it came out! It is absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to make it again for others to enjoy.
The tip about buttering the pan and then buttering the parchment paper is genius. I was able to easily flip the cake over like a pro. So thrilled with the results!
Hi Kaleb,
I made your recipe for Plum Cornmeal Cake today and my husband and I loved it!! We even put whipped cream on top. YUM!! THANKS FOR SHARING THE RECIPE!!
Made cake it is easy taste delicious thank you it’s great