Plum Upside Down Cake

Ingredients

For the fruit

• 80g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 80g soft light brown sugar
• 11 small plums or 6 large plums or greengages

For the cake batter

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
• 250g dark brown sugar
• 4 medium free-range eggs
• 200g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 80g ground almonds
• Zest of one lemon
• Pinch of salt

Method

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F, Gas Mark 4).

In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in colour. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, add the lemon zest, salt, flour, ground almonds, and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the batter, being careful not to over-mix.

Spread the cake batter evenly over the plums in the prepared cake tin.

Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. To check if the cake is done, insert a metal skewer into the centre. If the skewer comes out clean, the cake is ready.

Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before gently turning it out onto a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or cold with a dollop of cream or crème fraîche.