Go Back

Traditional Plum Cake With Streusel

A beloved German and Eastern European dessert, this round plum cake features a soft yeast or sponge base topped with juicy plums and a buttery streusel crumble.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Eastern European, German
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9- or 10-inch round baking tray
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Spatula
  • Knife and cutting board

Ingredients
  

For the Dough (Sponge or Yeast Option)

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder if using sponge method
  • ¼ cup warm milk for sponge
  • 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (for yeast method)
  • ⅓ cup warm milk for yeast method

For the Plum Topping

  • 1 ½ pounds ripe plums halved and pitted
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • For the Streusel
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  • For sponge base: mix eggs, sugar, vanilla, and milk, then fold in flour and baking powder.
  • For yeast base: activate yeast in warm milk, then combine with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rest (If Using Yeast)

  • Let yeast dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 60–90 minutes.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9- or 10-inch round baking tray.

Step 4: Arrange the Dough and Add Plums

  • Press dough into tray, top with plums in concentric circles, and sprinkle with lemon juice and sugar.

Step 5: Make the Streusel

  • Mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.

Step 6: Top and Bake

  • Sprinkle streusel over plums. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

  • Cool in pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use ripe, firm plums for best results
Chill streusel briefly for a crispier topping
For a traditional touch, use the yeast version
Pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Keyword European coffee cake, German plum cake, Pflaumenkuchen, plum cake, plum streusel, round cake with plums, sponge plum cake, streusel cake, traditional plum dessert, yeast plum cake