July 25, 2012

Baking with stone fruits

Lately, my life has been revolving around sniffing, eating and baking a lot with stone fruits.  And that’s no wonder since we’re slowly but surely reaching the peak of our most glorious season.  These summertime sensations have been rolling into my kitchen like ambassadors of sheer bliss, fighting for my undivided attention.  I’ve loved peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, nectarines and all their sensuous colorful varieties ever since I was a child, and that’s because they’ve always been and still are a constant presence in my grandma’s kitchen during summertime.  They infuse the air with their addictive ambrosial perfume and you’re instantly hooked. 






I wanted that perfume so badly in my kitchen these days, so I’ve decided to recreate one of my Grandma Vicki’s favorite summer cakes – Peach and Plum Cake.  This is an updated version or better said my own version because my grandma usually prefers to make this cake with either plums or apricots.  I like to give it a twist, more color and zing, and combine zesty plums and velvety peaches.  But the great thing about this cake is that it’s so versatile; peaches, plums, apricots – you get to choose.       








This sweet creation is always a must during the hot months.  And it’s not because stone fruits are widely popular but because it’s a mouthwatering sweet treat.  You simply can’t resist it!  And for me this cake brings back so many wonderful memories of my summers in good old Transylvania.  So, when I made it the delicate ambrosial aroma invaded the entire apartment while the cake was still bubbling in the oven and the fruits were slowly sinking into the buttery dough.  When it was done, I took a bite immediately.  The luscious flesh of the peaches made them so meaty and sugary, a perfect contrast to the juicy and tart plums.  And then there was the soft, springy, sweet dough.  Heavenly…  

 




What have you been baking lately or what summer fruits fascinate you?  I’d love to hear from you!




Peach and Plum Cake
By Simply Romanesco inspired by my Grandma Vicki

Serves: 24 squares

Ingredients:

·         250 grams (2 sticks and 2 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
·         6 large eggs, at room temperature
·         300 grams (1 1/3 cup) granulated sugar, plus extra for dusting
·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract
·         300 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
·         8 grams (2 teaspoons) baking powder
·         Small pinch of salt
·         1 kilogram (2 pounds) – 500 grams (1 pound) each plums (pitted and sliced), and peaches (peeled, pitted and sliced) – feel free to use whatever variety of peaches and plums you love; you can even use frozen peaches and plums; you can also use apricots if you so desire (peeled, pitted and sliced)
·         Confectioners’ sugar

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Coat the bottom and sides of a 14 by 10-inch baking pan with butter and flour. 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.  Set aside.  




Separate the egg yolks and egg whites.  In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium-low speed beat the butter with the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla extract for about 2-3 minutes until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the color is light yellow.  In batches, add the flour and baking powder mixture and beat until incorporated.    



In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed until they hold medium-firm peaks.  In batches, gently fold the egg whites into the batter.   




Pour the obtained batter into the prepared pan.  Arrange the fruits on top alternating the peaches and plums to create a colorful stripelike display.  Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of granulated sugar over each slice of peach and plum.  Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown, a tester comes out clean and the fruits have submerged into the dough.  Cool for 10 minutes in the pan on a rack.  Slice the cake into squares and carefully take the squares out of the pan and arrange them on a serving platter.  Dust with confectioners’ sugar and indulge! 






Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

18 comments:

  1. I love baking with fruit. Just last weekend my girlfriend and I made a burbon peach cobbler with home made whipped cream for my parents. It was so good we are making it again this weekend. Although now with your receipe we may have to try that instead. Thanks again for the wonderful new receipe.

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    1. Hi Mark, thank you for the nice comment! Your peach cobbler also sounds wonderful! I love baking with fruits too especially since they’re so fresh in the summertime :)

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  2. The peach and plum cake looks amazing! I love your blog and I can’t wait to try out your new recipe!!!

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    1. Hi NY Girl, thank you for the compliment! I am so happy that you enjoy my blog and recipes :)

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  3. I will echo that statement. The peach and plum cake look like they are out of a cookbook. You should send something in to the Bank with Adrian haha

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    1. Hi Bryan! Thank you for reading my blog and for leaving such a nice comment! I might send something in with Adrian, next week. :)

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  4. Hi Dana, so lovely to meet you! Beautiful post and photos - got me feeling so inspired. Your grandma would be proud. Adding this recipe to my to-bake list this year. I look forward to reading more!

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    1. Hi Jaime! It’s so nice to meet you, too! Thank you for these wonderful and inspiring words! They definitely made my weekend! :)

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  5. Wow, look at all those fruits! I must try baking with peaches and plums more often (or at all, I have yet to bake with those particular fruits!) This looks great!

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    1. Hi Cathleen! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I love baking with stone fruits, and I hope that you’ll enjoy it too! :)

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  6. This looks incredibly delicious! I've got quite a bit of stone fruit that needs a good recipe like this. This is going to be fun. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Ellen! Thank you for stopping by and for leaving such a nice comment! I love stone fruits and baking with them. I think that you’ll enjoy this recipe :)

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  7. Greeting from Australia! Your summer fruit tray bakes look amazing! Can't wait for our summer season to arrive soon :D

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    1. Hi Zoe! Thank you for the lovely comment! I know how it feels... I couldn't wait for summer to arrive only to get my hands on some stone fruits. :)

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  8. Stone fruit summer no doubt, I cannot wait for our Aussie summer :D
    These cakes look gorgeous!

    Cheers
    CCU

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    1. Thank you for the nice comment! I agree... I think that it's all about stone fruits this summer :)

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  9. Dear Internet,

    I just had this cake last weekend and it was simply heavenly. The cake was so moist, flavorful, and in a word...perfection. I am not a big fan of cakes and usually prefer pies but this cake changed my world. I encourage everyone who likes deserts to make this cake!

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    1. Hi Mark! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment and kind words! I'll be floating along on your praises all week! :)

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