Elegant Spiced Plum Cake with Whipped Greek Yogurt: Your Ultimate Fall & Holiday Dessert

Welcome the festive season with a delightful fall recipe, crafted in partnership with Chobani.

Discovering the Magic of a Simple Yet Elegant Cake

As the vibrant hues of autumn emerge and the crisp air signals the approach of the holiday season, our calendars often become a whirlwind of special occasions and joyful celebrations. For any home baker, this time of year presents countless opportunities to whip up delicious treats. Yet, amidst the bustling schedules and endless to-dos, the true hero is often a recipe that strikes the perfect balance: effortlessly simple to prepare, yet undeniably elegant enough to grace any festive table. This Spiced Plum Cake with Whipped Greek Yogurt is precisely that hero. It’s a testament to the beauty of uncomplicated baking, offering a dessert that appears naturally rustic and sophisticated, belying its straightforward creation process. It’s an everyday cake that looks anything but ordinary, making it your ideal companion for autumn gatherings and holiday entertaining.

The Heart of the Cake: Warm Spices, Juicy Plums, and the Secret Ingredient

At the core of this exquisite dessert is a tender, moist butter cake, generously infused with the comforting and aromatic notes of autumn: warm cinnamon and fragrant nutmeg. These traditional fall spices create an inviting backdrop, perfectly complementing the other key flavors. What truly sets this recipe apart is the inclusion of creamy, tangy Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt, harmoniously blended with the subtle sweetness of local honey. For those unfamiliar with the wonders of Greek yogurt in baking, prepare for a delightful revelation. It’s not merely an ingredient; it’s a game-changer, imparting incredible moisture and contributing a beautifully balanced flavor profile that you will absolutely adore. The yogurt’s natural tang cuts through the richness of the butter, resulting in a cake that is both deeply satisfying and refreshingly light.

A Symphony of Flavors and Textures with Perfectly Arranged Plums

Beyond the spiced, yogurt-enhanced batter, the star visual and flavor element comes from luscious, juicy-ripe plums. Before the cake even sees the oven, these plums are thinly sliced and meticulously arranged atop the batter. We’ve opted for a visually stunning circular pattern around the edge of the pan, alternating each slice to face both up and down. This careful arrangement creates an enchanting “petal effect” that instantly elevates the cake’s appearance from homemade to gourmet. As the cake bakes, these plums soften, their natural sweetness intensifying and mingling with the spices, releasing their delicious juices into the golden crust. Each bite offers a burst of sweet-tart plum, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures.

Once baked to a magnificent golden hue, the cake presents a tantalizing sight. Delicate slivers of caramelized plum peek out from a beautifully crisp crust, hinting at the tender, spice-speckled crumb beneath. This cake is so inherently flavorful and visually appealing that it genuinely requires no heavy frosting or elaborate decoration. All it needs is a touch of something extra special, a crowning glory that perfectly complements its rustic charm: a generous dollop of homemade whipped yogurt in its very center. “Whipped yogurt,” you ask? Yes, indeed! Prepare to be amazed by this delightful and innovative topping.

Introducing Whipped Yogurt: A Lighter, Tangier, and More Stable Alternative

Picture the ethereal lightness of traditional whipped cream, but imagine it infused with a sophisticated tang and a beautifully complex flavor profile. That’s the magic of whipped yogurt. It’s a revelation for dessert lovers – a refined, adult version of whipped cream that brings an unexpected depth and freshness to any sweet treat. The beauty lies in its simplicity: combine Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt with heavy cream and a touch of your preferred sweetener – be it granulated sugar, a drizzle of honey, or even stevia – then whisk until soft, luscious peaks form. The result is an airy, cloud-like topping that transforms this plum cake into an unforgettable culinary experience.

Why Whipped Yogurt is a Game-Changer for Desserts

This innovative topping offers several compelling advantages, making it an indispensable addition to your baking repertoire:

• Lighter Texture: Unlike rich, heavy frostings, whipped yogurt provides a refreshing, airy counterpoint to the dense cake, making each bite feel lighter and more balanced.
• Sophisticated Tang: The inherent acidity of Greek yogurt introduces a wonderful contrast to sweet flavors. This tang enhances the overall taste experience, preventing the dessert from becoming overly sweet and adding a layer of complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
• Enhanced Stability: A fantastic practical bonus of incorporating yogurt is its ability to naturally stabilize the heavy cream. This means your whipped topping will hold its beautiful soft peaks longer, resisting weeping and collapsing. It’s perfect for make-ahead desserts and ensures stunning presentation, even after sitting out for a while.
• Versatility Beyond Cake: While it’s the perfect partner for this spiced plum cake, whipped yogurt is incredibly versatile. It makes an excellent topping for fresh fruit tarts, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or simply enjoyed with a bowl of fresh berries. Its unique flavor profile complements a wide array of sweet dishes.

So, don’t hesitate! Spoon a generous dollop or two of this tangy-sweet, cloud-like creation onto your slice of cake, grab a fork, and prepare to embark on a delightful sensory journey. This Spiced Plum Cake with Whipped Greek Yogurt isn’t just a dessert; it’s an invitation to savor the authentic flavors of the season, beautifully presented and effortlessly delicious. It promises to be a memorable addition to your holiday table, offering a touch of elegance without the fuss.

SPICED PLUM CAKE WITH WHIPPED YOGURT RECIPE

A delightful recipe crafted by Carrie Sellman

Ingredients for the Spiced Plum Cake:

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A generous dash of ground nutmeg (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
• 1/2 cup (120g) Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1/4 cup (85g) local honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3-4 ripe plums, preferably firm-ripe, cut into half-inch (1.25 cm) slices with peels on

Instructions for the Spiced Plum Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare one 9-inch (23 cm) round baking pan by lightly buttering and flouring its bottom and sides, ensuring an even coating.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then set this wet mixture aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for approximately 4 minutes, until the mixture becomes light, pale, and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to a tender cake.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
6. Gradually incorporate the dry and wet ingredient mixtures into the butter mixture, alternating between them. Begin and end with the dry ingredients (e.g., add 1/3 of the dry mixture, then 1/2 of the wet, then 1/3 dry, then remaining 1/2 wet, and finally the last 1/3 dry). Mix only until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to a tough cake texture.
7. Pour the prepared cake batter evenly into the 9-inch round baking pan and gently smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Artfully arrange the plum slices in a circular pattern around the edge of the pan. To create the beautiful petal effect, alternate each slice so one faces up and the next faces down. Gently press down on each slice just enough to ensure it remains upright in the batter. Complete the arrangement by creating a second, smaller circle of plum slices in the middle of the cake.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The cake should appear golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
10. Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes. This crucial step helps the cake firm up before you carefully invert it onto the wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Ingredients for the Whipped Yogurt:

• 3/4 cup (180g) Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt, well chilled
• 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy whipping cream, well chilled
• 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)

Instructions for the Whipped Yogurt:

In the chilled bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the cold Greek yogurt, cold heavy whipping cream, and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until it visibly thickens and soft, airy peaks begin to form. Exercise caution not to overbeat, as this can cause the mixture to separate. Spoon this delightful whipped yogurt generously on top of the completely cooled cake, or onto individual slices just before serving. For an added touch of warmth and visual appeal, sprinkle with an extra dash of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Explore More Delicious Cake Recipes:

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful Spiced Plum Cake, we invite you to explore more enticing baking inspiration from our collection. These recipes promise to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen:

• Apple & Goat Cheese Cake
• Apple Crumb Cake
• Honey Butter Cake
• Pumpkin Cupcakes