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    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Blood Plum Torte

    Published: Feb 7, 2012 · by Nicole · Updated: Aug 22, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Blood Plum Torte

    This Plum Torte recipe is the most requested and most published recipe in the New York Times, appearing a total of 12 times. It's so popular, and so loved, that when Amanda Hesser came to write The Essential New York Times Cookbook and she asked readers for suggestions on what recipes to include 247 people contacted her and raved about this recipe.  If that's not a singing endorsement I don't know what is!

    I have to agree with those people because quite honestly this is a delicious cake, and better yet it is so deliciously simple! The only downside, in my eyes, is that it's not the most attractive of cakes. But, considering this cake isn't likely to last too long before it's gobbled up, I don't think that really matters!

    I've seen photos of this torte with plums perfectly perched on top, but each time I've made this, this being the second time, the cake has batter has greedily gobbled the plums up inside with only little glimpses of the beautiful plummy goodness hidden within.  Granted I have perhaps used heavier plums, having selected beautiful Blood Plums, but appearance is of little importance when something tastes good.

    So tell me, is how food looks or how it tastes more important to you?

    Marian Burros Plum Torte

    Recipe

    Blood Plum Torte

    Adapted from the famous New York Times Purple Plum Torte
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Dessert
    Keyword: Blood Plum Torte, cake recipe, Delicious Everyday, plum recipe, Plum Torte recipe, Torte recipe
    Servings: 8 slices
    Calories: 318kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup of plain flour all purpose
    • 1 tsp of baking powder
    • large pinch of salt
    • 1 cup of sugar plus 1 tablespoon extra for the topping
    • 115 grams of butter at room temperature
    • 2 large eggs
    • 12 blood plums halved and pitted
    • 2 tsp of fresh lemon juice
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180 and grease a 22cm spring form tin.
    • Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs and sift in the flour and baking powder and mix to combine.
    • Spoon the batter into the spring form pan and smooth on top, covering with the plums. Sprinkle the plums with the lemon juice and the extra sugar.
    • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out cleanly. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing.

    Notes

    The original recipe uses cinnamon. I have made it both with and without the cinnamon and find I prefer it without. If you choose to add the cinnamon the recipe suggests 1 tbsp. This cake is also suitable for freezing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 119mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 760IUVitamin C: 9.9mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.1mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rosa says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      What a fabulkous torte! I am such a sucker for plums. I love that first click. Very inviting.Cheers,Rosa

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thanks Rosa 😀

        Reply
    2. Lizzy (Good Things) says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Gorgeous! Love the sound of this, will bookmark for weekend baking. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Amanda says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Well *snap* Jen, I just made this last night with the last of the plums that I've saved from the birds. It is a great recipe and so quick to whip up, too!Great minds must really think alike!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        How funny that we made this almost at the same time (I made mine early this morning)! Great minds definitely do think alike! It's such a great simple recipe! I'm going to try it with other stone fruits.

        Reply
    4. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I never much care about looks when it tastes good, that being said an appealing cake will always manage to tempt me!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        True, a beautiful cake can tempt me too 😀

        Reply
    5. Anna @ the shady pine says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      This torte reminds me of childhood cakes when my mum would make plum cakes for us...very fond memories and I can't wait to give this recipe a go as it ounces wonderful!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        I'm so glad it brought back fond memories Anna 😀

        Reply
    6. Sanjeeta kk says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Wow..the Torte looks gorgeous! Lovely clicks.

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thanks Sanjeeta 😀

        Reply
    7. JJ @ 84thand3rd says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      For as terrible as the weather has been this summer the fruit has been lovely - great use for the plums, the torte looks delicious! I recon if the plums stayed up you wouldn't get that lovely golden, crunchy looking top!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        True, you wouldn't get that lovely crunchy topping if the plums stayed up, besides, this way you get a lovely surprise inside 😀

        Reply
    8. Harini says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      That doe s look very delicious! I just came back home from shopping and got some plums for a kuchen actually. I love fruits in my cakes.

      Reply
    9. thelittleloaf says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I think this looks beautiful with the plums slightly sunk into the batter - and I bet it tastes better for it too! Food should always look delicious, but sometimes that's not the same thing as being picture perfect or pristine. Gorgeous photos and recipe (as always).

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thank you so much for your kind words 😀

        Reply
    10. Katie @ Epicurean Mom says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I adore your pictures Jennifer!! SO beautiful! And this recipe sounds decadent! I love it!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Decadent and easy....what's not to love 😀 I think this would be lovely with some almond meal too.

        Reply
    11. [email protected] says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I care for the taste, most of the time! But good looking dish is always easier to photograph 😛

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        True, a good looking dish is always easier to photograph. 😀

        Reply
    12. Kirsty says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Perfect timing since plums are in season! I think I'll have to make this tonight for my hubby's lunchbox snack 🙂 thanks for posting!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        You're welcome Kirsty 😀 I hope your hubby enjoys it 😉

        Reply
    13. Culinary Cache says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      This looks like a very tasty recipe and I love the use of plums! Beautiful site and great photos!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thank you so much 😀

        Reply
    14. cc11 says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I'll go for flavour over looks, it can be ugly as long as it's delicious, afterall, it's what's inside that counts 🙂

      Reply
    15. Sara (Belly Rumbles) says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I can see why it is such a requested and wanted recipe. Really is a stunning looking tart.

      Reply
    16. JasmyneTea says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I care more about the taste, although if it's something I've made myself I'll try to make it look inviting 🙂 I love blood plums, will have to give it a try!

      Reply
    17. Jaejaejae says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Taste is more important! The only time I am unwilling to try something that is extremely unattractive is when it smells unattractive too!!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Hahaha I'm the same, if something looks and smells unattractive I just can't go near it. 🙂

        Reply
    18. Claire @ Claire K Creations says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Wow I have to disagree. The colour of the plumbs is amazing. I think it's very pretty (or you're a very good photographer)! Either way it looks delicious.

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thanks Claire 😀

        Reply
    19. [email protected] says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Yum, I love this kind of cake. I dont mind what fruit is in it, I just love it. As far as this cake goes I wouldn't care what it looked like!

      Reply
    20. Jas (the gluten free scallywag) says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I just made an upside-down plum cake last weekend with delicious blood plums! I don't eat plums fresh, but by golly they're delicious in a cake such as this, look forward to trying this recipe out with my naxt batch of plums.

      Reply
    21. beti says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I love the color! and I would really love to try it

      Reply
    22. kankana says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Love plums in anyway and any form. This torte is gorgeous and the clicks are so amazing as always.

      Reply
    23. Choc Chip Uru says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      This tart looks exquisite - absolutely gorgeous my friend :DLove the flavours!

      Reply
      • delicieux says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Thank you 😀

        Reply
    24. Thanh @ eat, little bird says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Oh I must try this cake! I absolutely love plums in cakes.This might sound cliché but I really believe that we eat with our eyes first, so how the food looks is important. But how it tastes is more important, I think. No point having good-looking food which tastes blah 😉

      Reply
    25. Aga says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Looks like a perfect cake for today. Going to bake it, now! 🙂

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    5 from 3 votes

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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