National Dish Liechtenstein: Plum Cake (Recipe)
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Meet plum cake, one of Liechtenstein’s most cherished bakes! This moist, tender sponge is studded with ripe, juicy plums and lifted by a gentle whisper of cinnamon. It is the kind of cake that turns a quiet weekend afternoon into a proper occasion — perfect for a leisurely coffee with friends, yet elegant enough to round off a festive meal. Bring a slice of Alpine tradition straight to your own kitchen.
About Plum Cake
Plum cake is a true national dish of Liechtenstein, adored not only across the little principality but well beyond its borders too. This moist bake strikes a lovely balance between the natural sweetness of ripe plums and a light, airy sponge that all but melts on the tongue. A subtle note of warm spice makes it something special, ideal for a cosy weekend coffee gathering. It also makes a wonderfully refined dessert to follow a festive meal.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 250 g plums
- 100 g sugar
- 150 g plain flour
- 100 g butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 sachet vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- Cinnamon, to taste
Shopping for the ingredients
For the best plum cake, the ingredients should be fresh and of good quality. The choice of plums is decisive: reach for ripe, juicy fruit, as these make the cake particularly delicious. Keep an eye on freshness and provenance when buying the other ingredients too. A visit to a local farmers’ market is a great way to find top produce while supporting regional growers at the same time.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin making the plum cake, it is worth weighing out and setting out all the ingredients. Wash the plums thoroughly and cut them in half to remove the stones. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a baking tin so the cake turns out easily later on. Have a mixing bowl ready as well, so you can bring the batter together without any last-minute fuss.
Step-by-step instructions
- Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, vanilla sugar, cinnamon and salt, then fold this slowly into the butter-and-sugar mixture.
- Gently fold the prepared plums through the batter.
- Spread the batter evenly into the baking tin and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30–40 minutes, until the cake is golden brown.
- Take the cake out of the oven and leave it to cool.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of the plum cake, the regular flour can be swapped for a gluten-free blend. Just make sure all the other ingredients are gluten-free too. In the case of lactose intolerance, it is worth replacing the butter with a lactose-free alternative. These small tweaks make it easy to bring the cake within reach of a much wider circle of guests.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
If you would like to bake the plum cake vegan, you can replace the eggs with apple purée or flaxseed. One tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water makes a fine stand-in for a single egg. There are excellent plant-based alternatives to butter, too, which work beautifully in the batter. These changes make no real difference to the flavour, so everyone can share in this comforting cake.
More tips and tricks
To make the plum cake especially moist, briefly soak the plums in warm water before using them. This encourages juiciness and improves the flavour. It is also worth dusting the finished cake with a little icing sugar or serving it with a pour of vanilla sauce. Add a scoop of ice cream to turn it into a truly indulgent dessert — much like the finish you might give a plate of Zwetschgenknoedel.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Another plus of this plum cake recipe is how adaptable it is. You could, for instance, add nuts or almonds to lend the cake a lovely crunch. Different spices such as nutmeg or cardamom bring a distinctive note of their own. Be creative and adjust the recipe to your personal taste, so that every bite has that little something extra.
Ingredient substitutions
For a lower sugar intake, the sugar can be replaced with sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. These alternatives not only bring fewer calories but also add extra aroma to the mix. If you do not have fresh plums to hand, the cake works just as well with bottled or frozen fruit. That way you can enjoy the plum cake all year round, whatever the season.
Drink pairing ideas
Plum cake goes wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. For a special touch, you could serve a fruity herbal tea that echoes the flavours of the cake beautifully. Alternatively, an alcohol-free cocktail or a lively apple cider rounds off the treat nicely. These drinks strike a perfect harmony with the cake’s gentle sweetness.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation can add a great deal to the enjoyment of a plum cake. Serve it on an elegant plate and garnish with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers to please the eye. A dusting of icing sugar also lends an appealing finish. Take care to cut the cake into even slices to round off the presentation — the same care you might lavish on a slice of Quarkkuchen.
A bit of history
Plum cake has a long tradition in Liechtenstein and is closely woven into the life of the region. It is most often baked in the autumn months, when the plums are ripe and at their best. Fresh takes on the classic recipe have helped it gain a following in other countries too. Many families keep their own variation, each one telling a story of its own — a fine example of the home baking at the heart of Liechtenstein cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Plum Cake
Plum cake is a timeless and delicious dessert that wins hearts with its simple ingredients and its many possibilities for adaptation. Ideal for a coffee gathering or as the highlight after a meal, it brings a piece of Liechtenstein tradition into your kitchen. Thanks to how readily it suits different diets, there is a version for everyone. Do not miss the chance to try this wonderful bake yourself and treat your guests to something truly special.
