Plum Kuchen {Summer Loving}

Summer's my favorite season, always has been.   I remember as a little girl slowly woken by the dancing sunlight, the birds dainty songs and my cat gently nudging on my cheek.  I was barely able to pull on my shoes and was out the door rushing to start a day of exploring, lizard catching, tadpole watching and tree climbing (Yes, I was a slight tomboy. A tomboy that wore twirly dresses!) I just love all the life and excitement the season brings to these lovely salt splashed days.  I also adore all the exquisite and glorious treats that summer's bounty supplies us with...plums, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, nectarines, figs, watermelon!! These earth candy are in abundance here in Southern California!

Summer brings enchanting colors and magical feelings.  Just imagine...

Crushed red berry mojitos...

Yellow daisies frolicking in the wind...

Sun sparkled waters glistening in the waves...

I think of...

(Splashing Oceans and Footprints in the Sand)

(Pink Peonies and Cream Roses)

(Fresh Picked Plums and Bright Red Strawberries)

(And Sunny Days Filled with Chalk Drawings)

What do you think of?

The girls can't wait to heat the pool and for endless splashing around.  Quite honestly, I'm pretty excited about that too!  Last summer Ky (3 years) was in the pool from sunrise to sunset.  When she finally emerged she was one big wrinkly prune.  I joyfully sat poolside with a baby in one arm and a mojito in the next.  That's the way life should always be!

If you haven't made plum kutchen, I suggest you try it! It's perfect as a light dessert or even for breakfast.  To sweeten up the cake pair it with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.  This dish is extremely similar to coffee cake, moist and delicious! I prefer a delicate taste of the plums although if you prefer a more robust plum taste size the plums larger or overlap the laid plums.

Plum Kutchen
Recipe adapted from Epicurean Mom


Serves 6


Ingredients:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1 1/2 -plus 1 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup 2% milk
3 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 medium plums, slightly firm, cut into 1/2-1/4-inch rounds

Preparation:


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl.  Stir until well incorporated.

In a separate small bowl stir eggs, milk, butter and vanilla. Slowly incorporate the egg mixture with the flour until just mixed.

Grease a 9-inch round spring pan.  Spoon the batter into the pan (the batter will barely fill the pan.  This is ok...It'll rise!)  Spread evenly.  Place the plum rounds in a circle on top of the batter.  Combine the divided 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon and generously sprinkle on top of the plums.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.