Gluten-Free Plum Cake that is Moist and Soft

Name: Gluten Free Plum Cake that is Moist and Soft
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 lb plums, (any variety); 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup milk, (plant based would work too); ⅔ stick unsalted butter, (softened ); ½ cup brown sugar; 2 cups almond flour; ½ cup regular flour, (or rice flour for gluten free); ½ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp salt; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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This Gluten-Free Plum Cake is moist, soft, and delicious and is topped with juicy fresh plums. Enjoy it as the perfect late-summer cake for breakfast or as a warm-weather dessert.

Baked plum cake on white paper with powdered sugar sprinkled on top, and a spatula with a cut slice.

As a family, this is our favorite way to enjoy the plum season. Gluten-free plum cake pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea. Cakes like this are so easy to make.

Since this cake takes about 40-45 minutes in the oven, you have time for other tasks to complete. For me, it was just enough time to take a morning walk with my daughter. How will you be using your time?

This upside-down cake recipe is so easy to make and results in a moist buttery breakfast cake. During late summer you’ll find a lot of plums at the farmers’ market and in some grocery stores. If you’ve got all those extra plums, what can you do with them? This cake is the perfect way to put them to use. Enjoy this summer dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Plum cake atop white paper and a wooden board, with a spatula on the side for serving, and powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Out of all the different varieties of plums, but red plums are best for this easy recipe. The color pops and it makes for a truly delicious cake. It’s not as sweet as you may think. The plum taste compliments the amount of sugar in this recipe, so it’s not a super sugary dessert.

Table of Contents

How to cut the plums

If you’re not using plums, use at least a fruit from the plum family if plums are not available. I tried a couple of different ways to cut the plums, and here’s what I found:

You shouldn’t cut the plums too thin.
Don’t place the plums too deep into the batter!
Cut plums in halves or quarters, plum wedges or halved plums will make your plum cake prettier.

Key Ingredients for a Plum Cake

Plum cake ingredients with labels- brown sugar, plums, salt, egg, milk, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, almond flour, and regular flour.

Fresh plums: Ideally use red plums because the color pops and it makes for a truly delicious cake.
Eggs: Use large eggs or flax eggs if you prefer them as a foaming agent to bring out the rise in the cake.
Milk: Regular milk, almond milk, or any plant-based works too.
Unsalted butter: The butter should be at room temperature for a smooth and evenly textured cake batter.
Brown sugar: Adds flavor and moistness to the cake.
Almond flour: You can use any that you like. I use Bob’s Red Mill Flour which adds great flavor.
Regular flour: All purpose flour works best. For a gluten-free flour option, use brown rice flour or regular rice flour.
Cinnamon: Spices like cinnamon add a sweet, natural and warm flavor to the cake.

Along with these ingredients, you’ll also need salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Gluten Free Plum Cake

Step 1: Prepare the equipment.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Smear an 8-inch baking pan or cake tin with a pat of butter, then set aside.

Black springform pan, buttered for baking.

Step 2: Prepare the plums

Wash the plums and dry them with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Then cut it in half and take the pit out, then set aside.

Cut up plums on a wooden board with a knife.

Step 3: Make the butter mixture

In a medium bowl, whisk softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light fluffy.

Butter and sugar mixed in a glass bowl with a silver whisk.

Step 4: Add eggs and the rest of the ingredients

Add eggs one at a time and whisk to combine.

Batter in a bowl with a whisk and eggshells on the side.

Step 5: Add the rest of the ingredients

Add the rest of the dry ingredients and wet ingredients, except for the sliced plums, and stir with a spatula.

Step 6: Transfer onto the baking dish

Transfer the prepared batter to the baking dish and spread evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Cake batter in a springform pan with a spatula on the side.

Step 7: Add plums and sugar

Place the plum slices on top of the cake batter, pushing them in slightly then sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of sugar.

Step 8: Bake the cake

Place the plum cake in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until it’s golden brown or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Baked plum cake in a baking pan on a wooden square board.

Step 9: Serve and enjoy!

Remove the cake from the oven and let the cake cool then serve warm on a cake plate and enjoy.

How to store leftover plum cake

Place leftover plum cake in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or place in the fridge and keep for up to 5 days.
To freeze the gluten-free plum cake, wrap the cooled, whole cake in a plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or large ziplock bag. You can also freeze individual pieces this way. To thaw, transfer the cake from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight.

Expert Tips

Toss the plum wedges in some coconut sugar and cinnamon and set them aside for a few minutes. This allows the ripe plums to release some of their juices and stops them from making the cake soggy.
Other stone fruits such as peaches or nectarines are a good fruit substitute in this great recipe. For a Christmas fruit cake recipe, use black plums as they will be in season.
The best type of plums to use would be Italian Prune Plums, which are smaller and sweet when fully ripe. Find them at your local Farmers’ Market or at grocery store. If they are not available, use the larger black or red plums. To use in the cake, cut them in halves or quarters.
Feel free to use a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer to mix the batter.
A great option is to sprinkle some powdered sugar on the plum cake, as soon as it cooled down. Presentation is easy with powdered sugar!
You can replace the brown sugar with maple syrup or coconut sugar and you can also change the kind of milk you use. While I use whole milk here, you can choose your favorite. Keep in mind, it will slightly be different in taste.

Recipe FAQs

Can I replace fresh plums with frozen plums?

Yes, you can. Unlike the fresh fruit, bring the fruit to room temperature for 15 minutes and then allow for extra baking time.

Should l use gluten-free flour?

Gluten-free flour is optional in this recipe! If you prefer gluten-free baked goods, use brown rice flour or rice flour. Additionally, regular all-purpose flour works just as well.

Plum cake slice on a white plate, sprinkled with powdered sugar with a fork.

Other delicious cake recipes with fresh fruit!

Celebrate fall with a divine Moist and Easy Apple Cake, filled with delicious, juicy apples.
The elegant Mandarin Orange Mousse Cake with Citrus and Chocolate Ganache is easy to make! A beautiful cake like that absolutely melts in your mouth.
Try the Lemon Yogurt Layer Cake with Easy Lemon Buttercream which is moist, sweet, creamy, and loaded with fresh lemon zest.

More Dessert Recipes

If you tried this Gluten Free Plum Cake that is Moist and Soft or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!