Grandma's Plumcake

The plumcake is a classic dessert that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. Here’s a traditional plumcake recipe in “grandma’s” style, with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 200 g of soft butter
• 200 g of granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 200 g of “00” flour
• 100 g of potato starch
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• 1 lemon (grated zest)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar (for decorating)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease and flour a plumcake mold.

2. In a large bowl, cream the soft butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light.

3. Add one egg at a time, incorporating it well into the mixture before adding the next.

4. Mix in the grated lemon zest to infuse the dough with aroma.

5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, potato starch, and a pinch of salt, then sift the dry ingredients over the butter and egg mixture. This will help make the plumcake softer.

6. Add the baking powder and mix gently from top to bottom to avoid deflating the mixture.

7. Pour the mixture into the prepared mold and level the surface with a spatula.

8. Bake the plumcake for about 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Once baked, let the plumcake cool in the mold for a few minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.

10. Before serving, dust the plumcake with powdered sugar.

Fun Fact

The term “plumcake” comes from the English term “plum cake,” which originally referred to a rich dried fruit cake (such as plums or “plums”) typical of the Christmas period. Over time in Italy, it has transformed into the classic dessert for breakfast or snack time, even without dried fruit. Some variations include the addition of yogurt or milk to make the batter even softer and moister.