Here’s a classic Hungarian Plum Cake recipe—rich, moist, and perfect for showcasing sweet-tart plums 🍑🇭🇺
Hungarian Plum Cake (Szilvás Pite)
This traditional cake features a soft yeast or sponge base topped with juicy plums and sometimes a light crumb topping. It’s a beloved dessert across Hungary.
🧺 Ingredients (for 1 9×13-inch cake)
For the Cake Base
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup sugar
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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½ cup milk, lukewarm
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
For the Topping
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1 lb (about 8–10) ripe plums, pitted and halved
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2–3 tablespoons sugar
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Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg
Optional Crumb Topping
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½ cup flour
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¼ cup sugar
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3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
🍰 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Base
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In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in eggs and vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually mix dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture until smooth.
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Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
3. Add the Plums
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Arrange plum halves, cut side up, over the cake batter.
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Sprinkle with sugar and optional cinnamon.
4. Optional Crumb Topping
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Mix flour, sugar, and cold butter with fingertips until crumbly.
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Sprinkle evenly over plums.
5. Bake
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Bake 40–50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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The cake should be golden, with plums slightly caramelized.
6. Cool & Serve
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Let cool before slicing.
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Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
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Serve as-is or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
🌟 Tips
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Use slightly tart plums (like Italian or European varieties) for balance.
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If plums are very juicy, you can sprinkle a little cornstarch over them to prevent sogginess.
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This cake keeps well for 2–3 days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
If you want, I can also make a yeast-based Hungarian plum cake version (traditional Szilvás Kalács) that’s fluffier and more authentic, like the bakery style.