They say that necessity is the mother of invention. In the case of this cake, it couldn’t be truer. We had a huge bag of gorgeously ripe plums, begging to spill their juices. Mom and I were going to a food blogger potluck the next day, so I had to make something that night. We were also out of eggs. But no matter, I flipped through a couple of cookbooks until I found a recipe to change and manipulate beyond recognition. I love times like those. Everything slows down, I get into a groove and the recipe just flows. I go with my gut. It becomes comfortable yet unsure at the same time. Sure, things can go wrong, but after years of doing this, I have a fairly good idea of what works. If I get it wrong or something happens, at least I get to learn something! With this cake I didn’t have to worry though.
It came together easily. It tasted heavenly. Moist, to say the least. Everyone seemed to enjoy it at the potluck (where a lot of good food lay). In addition to a pan of cake, the recipe makes an extra little bit to taste right now. In other words? Perfect potluck material.
This potluck was delightful. The rain held out just until 3 or so, when the last of us grabbed what we had brought and darted out of there. The rain came in thick drops, trying to spoil any leftover food (I kept it safe). Vincci from Ceci n’est pas un food blog organized the whole thing, and a whole bunch of us came: Julie from Dinner with Julie, Pierre from Kitchen Scraps, Chelsey from The Crazy Kitchen, Jennifer from Chocolate & Ginger and Wendy from Clearly the Place to Eat.
Plum Quinoa Cake
Inspired by Quinoa 365. Created by Lauren of Celiac Teen.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (salted, or add salt to dry ingredients), softened
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
1 cup kefir (or buttermilk)
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup quinoa flour (4.35 oz)
1/2 cup millet flour (2.90 oz)
1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour (1.10 oz)
1/4 cup sweet rice flour (1.15 oz)
1 3/4 tsp xanthan gum
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups plums, pitted and cut into 1 1/2 cm pieces. I needed 8 plums.
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, melted
Steps
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit and grease an 8 by 8 inch square pan. Also grease either a 4-inch round pan or 2 to 3 cupcake pans (silicone liners work great for this).
Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl, until light and fluffy. It will take a couple of minutes with your mixer (but you could also do it by hand). Stir in the kefir, applesauce and vanilla. It may appear curdled, but that’s okay. Just try to break the butter pieces up a bit. That’s how it’s supposed to look.
Whisk together quinoa, millet, tapioca, sweet rice, xanthan gum, baking powder and baking soda. Toss plums in flour, making sure to coat.
Dump the flour and plums into the wet ingredients and stir until it all comes together. Make sure it is fully incorporated. Place batter in pans, making sure the batter is all the same height throughout each pan.
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Sprinkle this over top of your batter.
Bake small ones for 30 to 35 minutes and the large one for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan, on a rack, completely before serving. Enjoy!
Note: This also works with peaches. Just swap out the 2 cups of plums for 2 cups of peaches, cut into the same size. Yum.
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This post is linked to Gluten-Free Wednesdays and the First Anniversary of Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays.
We were all oohing and ahhing over the food. And the light! Those sometimes-threatening clouds diffused the light perfectly.
Pierre made this salad, and thoughtfully placed the croutons on the side, so I could enjoy it too!
I couldn’t have these (and a handful of other things), but you see those golden watermelon-feta-basil skewers in the back? I went back for seconds of those. Yum.
Don’t get me started on this potato salad. I need to search out a boatload of garlic scapes just to make it, again and again. Possibly the best potato salad I’ve ever had. Go make some. But, hanging out with Julie makes it all the better, so do that too. As you may have noticed, Vincci just finished taking her photo of that salad. We all did it. Cameras clicking, forks tapping, conversation flowing.
These little treasures were from Chelsey. The freshest fruits marinated in champagne with a heavenly syrup and oodles of cream on top.
Here. Have some of my cake. It’s simpler than pie (but I love pie too!).
There is nothing like making delicious treats from items at the peak of their season. These plums (and peaches 🙂 ) were bursting with flavour and juice, which made this all the more wonderful. It also helps you if you’re stuck and have a handful of just-about-over-ripe plums or peaches that you won’t be able to eat before the fruit flies get ’em. Here is a solution. Galettes are great too. Enjoy this season, because soon enough, we’ll be grabbing our winter coats and standing in boots. Or at least I will. Maybe you’re just about to get spring. If so, cherish that. The growth will be magic, I know it.
xoxo
Lauren
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Lauren, that looks so plum delicious! And the pics are gorgeous too. The Potluck sounds like a lot of fun. I just love your recipes!
There is nothing like getting together with a group of food bloggers – it always makes me chuckle when everyone whips out their camera as the food is laid out. Your cake is a lovely way to use up the summer’s sweet plums. Beautiful photos!
It looks amazingly moist and delicious!
Yum, it looks very tasty! Seems like a fun time 🙂
I love plums in cake. I have a quinoa post going up tomorrow, I am going to add a link to this. If that’s ok?
Kristin, of course! Link away :).
Oh my gosh that cake was amazing, I am sooo glad that you posted the recipe. What an excellent reincarnation you made it to be! Can’t wait to get together and do some baking. I’m thinking maybe early October…pumpkin pie?
It looks like a great potluck. I don’t think I’ve ever baked with plums, but with a big bunch of ripe ones I’m sure I’d do exactly what you did. It looks tasty!
Wow, everything looks fantastic. Gatherings centered around food are the best! Everyone gets to contribute and share a favorite. I love meeting with my friends and bringing something yummy to share.
I can’t wait to try out this recipe. It looks delightful. Your pictures are so mouthwatering.
We have a plum tree that is going mad right now. I think I will have to make this over the weekend. Great recipe! Thanks!
Love that cake! Do you like Quinoa 365? It’s on my wish list. I love quinoa in baked goods. It’s such a distinctive taste, but it’s great. And yes, that light from those clouds really helped!
That sounds like so much fun, and what a beautiful spread on that table! Say hi to Chelsey for me next time. 😉 Must go check out those other blogs now too!
Hi Lauren,
It sounded great but I didn’t have plums so used cherries from the freezer and it worked beautifully. Thanks for the thought!
Yum! Love the way this cake sounds. Great photos from what looks like a great day!
Another truly gorgeous post. Impeccably written, and dotted with fantastic photographs!
Your camera holds great potential, what type of lens do you use on your canon?
Adrian, 99% of the time, I use a 50 mm 1.8 lens.
Beautiful photography. Love your blog! Btw, if you have never tried making your own kefir at home, try this recipe http://cuceesprouts.com/2010/10/fermenting-experimenting/
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