Plum Streusel Cake Or Pflaumen Streuselkuchen

If this isn't the perfect cake for Autumn, Winter or weather that is just edged with a bit of warmth I don't know what is. This German plum streusel cake is adaptable-use any fruit really, and savour the light butter cake base, the jammy fruit and the insanely addictive streusel topping! And yes Dear Reader, this is a pushy recipe!

I actually got this recipe from the lovely Sarah Cooks. Not only is it simple-you use the mixer to do all the work and you don't have to clean it between layers, you can also just pop all the ingredients in at the same time.

The reason why this is a pushy recipe is because of the streusel Dear Reader although Mr NQN will tell you it's because of the jammy fruit. We differ in that respect-I'm all about buttery but he loves the fruit and he will happily let me eat the streusel off this pieces.

That's not the only thing in which we differ. Mr NQN has been sending me pics of dogs although I am definitely not ready for another dog. But I still like seeing at all the little lovelies that are out there.

But we're having a bit of an issue. I want a senior rescue dog while Mr NQN wants a Wheaten Terrier puppy. I'm just not a puppy person in the same way I'm not a baby person, I really gravitate towards the calmer personalities of older dogs and their quirks. But he keeps sending me pictures of Wheaten terriers.

"Isn't it cute?" he'd ask me and I'd volley back with pics of senior rescues. "But Barbara the Maltese is blind! Baby needs me!!" or "Tulip is also blind and she's 17 years old!". Mr NQN shakes his head knowing that the older ones may only have a short time with us and he knows how emotionally attached I get to dogs. But I counter that I don't want to buy a dog when there are so many dogs out there that need homes and maybe we can give these doggies a nice last few years. My dream scenario is taking on a few senior dogs that need homes to live out their last few twilight years in peace and happiness with lots of cuddles and treats. I don't know who will win this debate though!

So tell me Dear Reader, what would you do in this case? Do you have a solution to our doggy dilemma? Apart from me adopting 10 senior rescues? ;)

Plum Streusel Cake Pflaumen Streuselkuchen

Adapted from Sarah Cooks

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 50 minutes

Streusel Layer:

• 150g/5ozs. plain all purpose flour
• 100g/3ozs. butter, softened
• 75g/2.6ozs. raw sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake and fruit layer:

• 3-5 plums (depending on size)
• 250g/8.8ozs. plain all purpose flour
• 125g/4ozs. butter, softened
• 100g/3.5ozs. white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Pinch salt

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 180C/350F and line the base and sides of a 20cm/8inch springform tin. Make the streusel layer by adding all ingredients into a mixer with a paddle attachment and beating until combined. Scoop out and set aside.

Step 2 - Make the cake layer by adding all ingredients (except for plums) into the same mixer bowl and then beating on low to medium speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.

Step 3 - Cut the plums down the equator and then twist open. Remove the pit and slice into segments. I got around 8-10 segments per plum.

Step 4 - Spread out the cake layer into the prepared tin. Top with plum slices and then crumble streusel on top. Bake for 50 minutes. Serve with cream or ice cream.