special occasion dessert

This is a plum studded buttery dessert that is simple yet elegant, sweet yet sour, mundane yet magical. The caramely plums embed in the moist cake and the juice seeps out and becomes one with the cake.

Italian Plum Torte with Tantalizing Plum Glaze A Purely Magical Dessert

For the Plums (Place:)

unsalted butter

brown sugar

brandy

plums (about 2 lb., halved, pitted,

For the cake (whisk:)

all-purpose flour

baking powder

cinnamon

salt

Cream:

unsalted butter (softened)

sugar

eggs

vanilla extract

milk

almonds (lightly toasted)

Whipped cream fraîche

Glaze:

lemon juice

vanilla

cloves

Heat oven to 350 F.

Spray pan with vegetable spray.

For the plums, place 6 Tablespoon butter in an 8-inch-square pan, or 9-inch-round, 2-inch deep cake pan, or an 8-inch springform pan. If using springform pan be sure to wrap the outside with foil. Place the pan in the oven to melt the butter, 4-5 minutes. Remove pan from oven; stir 1 cup brown sugar and brandy into the melted butter in pan.

Overlap plum slices in rows if using a square pan or in a circle around the edge if using a round pan. Repeat in smaller circle in center to cover the bottom of pan.

For the cake, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Cream softened butter in a large bowl with electric mixer until butter is light and fluffy, 5 minutes.

Add 1 cup granulated sugar; cream until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes more. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.

Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with milk, using a whisk to avoid overmixing. Whisk ingredients only until well blended, cleaning sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the toasted almonds until combined. Spread batter evenly over plums in pan.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on a rack, 30 minutes.

Run a knife around the edge of the pan; invert the cake onto a serving plate. Let cake stand 1-2 minutes, then lift off the pan. Glaze with the plum sauce.

While the cake is baking make the glaze by placing the plums and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mixture starts to boil. Add the lemon juice and continue to cook, stirring, for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the fruit is glazed and a bit softened but not dissolved.

Pour the mixture into a bowl and add the vanilla and cloves. Cover and let the sauce come to room temperature.

Gently remove the plums from the glaze and place in a container to eat later on yogurt, ice cream, or just plain.

Glaze the entire surface of the cake.

Serve the cake warm with whipped cream or crème fraîche.

This dessert really does look magical! We love plums and that color is just stunning. Perfectly sweet and a bit tart too. YUM!

What a creative and yummy use of plums. One of my favorite of the stone fruits that are in season right now.Thanks for a great idea for a unique dessert to serve at a luncheon next week.

This looks so good! My mother makes a German plum cake, so I know I'll enjoy this recipe!

This plum torte with plum glaze sounds wonderful! I love the little dash of brandy that you've added to bring the flavors of the fruit out and make this taste rich. Can't wait to try this recipe!

Happy birthday to Shelley!  Wow what a great, seasonal dessert for it!  We used to live at a house with an Italian plum tree and oh my gosh they are hands down my favorite!!  I miss that tree so much. Maybe I’ll have to swing by for a visit so I can snag a few for this recipe!  ????

Spectacular dessert! I'm glad you trusted your instincts so thoroughly here - everything is so lovely all together.  I love plums but I don't bake with them often enough, so I'm glad to have a dessert to try out.  Excellent idea about the almonds too.  Almonds work with their stone-fruit cousins so well and in so many ways!  And I have to say I rather enjoyed the story of the Tatin sisters.  I'd never heard it before!

I've made the apple version of this, but I like your plum version better!!  So much flavor and so gorgeous!

Thank you for sharing your trials and triumphs with this Italian plum torte!  I noticed my farmer's market has some beautiful stone fruit, but I didn't know what I would make.  Heading back for some plums!

That is a magical dessert for sure!  It looks simply gorgeous, and I   am quite sure it tastes just as amazing as it looks.

I love rustic desserts like this. Nothing fancy that takes so much time to make..but the BEST tasting results!! This is a winner dessert all the way around. The perfect dessert of entertaining..since you can make 2-3 to feed a hungry crowd at a party.

I love reading about the history of recipes, both the historical and the personal :) This looks delicious. And definitely impressive!

this really looks spectacular. I love how its glistens in the light and plums are a favorite here I bet this is over the top delicious!  I think I have some frozen to try this out! hope frozen will work!

WOW! What a special dessert! Marisa, you're not only an awesome chef but a terrific story teller too! Love it!  Shared onto Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw.

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