Irish Plum Cake
Irish Plum Cake is a rich, fruit-filled dessert with raisins, currants, and citrus zest, perfect for special occasions or teatime indulgence, offering a moist, flavorful bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter or margarine
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons golden or light corn syrup ⓘ
- 1/4 cup finely ground, blanched almonds ⓘ
- 4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups milk ⓘ
- 2 cups seedless raisins
- 2 1/2 cups currants ⓘ
- Grated rind of 3 oranges ⓘ
Instructions
- Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the almond extract, corn syrup, and ground almonds.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour from the total amount.
- Sift the remaining flour with the baking soda and salt.
- Add the flour to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beating well after each addition.
- Coat the raisins and currants with the reserved 1/2 cup of flour.
- Fold the coated raisins, currants, and grated citrus peels into the batter.
- Distribute the batter evenly in a well buttered and floured tube pan.
- Bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 45 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool further.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter in place of margarine. If you need a nut-free option, you can omit the ground almonds and replace them with an equal amount of flour. Additionally, feel free to substitute the raisins and currants with other dried fruits like chopped apricots or cranberries for a different taste.
Serving Suggestions
This Irish Plum Cake is delightful when served plain, but you can also dress it up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of citrus glaze. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee for a comforting afternoon snack. It also pairs beautifully with Russian Coffee Cake for a festive dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Irish Plum Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, placing it in the freezer where it can last for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Irish Plum Cake contains roughly 613 calories, with 3g protein, 37g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (179% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of extract instead of almond?
Yes, you can substitute almond extract with an equal amount of vanilla extract or even a splash of orange extract for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that it will slightly alter the taste of the cake.
What can I do if I don't have corn syrup?
If you don’t have corn syrup on hand, you can replace it with honey or maple syrup in equal amounts. This will add a different sweetness and flavor to the cake, but it will still work well in the recipe.
Is it possible to make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This cake actually improves in flavor after a day or two. You can bake it in advance and store it wrapped until you're ready to serve. Just make sure to let it cool completely before wrapping to avoid excess moisture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).