The vanilla soaked sweetness and sometimes tartness of the plums work so perfectly with this delicate vanilla cake and icing - the best part is this delicious summer cake is really simple to prepare, pretty and will quickly become a crowd favourite at your next celebration. x
Place the chopped plums and vanilla essence into a small bowl and set aside while you’re making the cake - the longer you leave the plums the richer in vanilla they’ll taste.
Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter and flour a 10” cake pan. Using a electric beater, cream butter, sugar and eggs together until pale and fluffy.
Alternate adding the buttermilk and flour to the butter mixture until well combined, next add the salt and vanilla (not the vanilla from the plum mixture). Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a separate bowl, it will foam up, once settled add to the mixture and beat for another 2-3 minutes or until combined and smooth.
Divide the cake batter between two bowls - before dividing the vanilla soaked plums between both bowls too, being careful to not add too much liquid to the batter, just the plums. Be sure to leave aside 2-3 tablespoons of plums for decorating the top of the cake. Gently fold the plums into the cake batter and pour one bowl into the prepared cake tin - if you have two cake tins the same size, that’s perfect, otherwise you’ll have to bake one cake at a time. Bake for around 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for around 10-15 minutes in the pan before tuning onto a wire rack to cool completely before icing. Repeat with the remaining cake batter.
vanilla bean buttercream
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, milk, vanilla essence and half of the icing sugar until combined. Gradually add in the remaining icing and beat until smooth and creamy – the longer you mix it the whiter and silkier it will get.
Assembling your layer cake
Once the cakes have cooled, spread a thin layer of icing onto the bottom of one of your cakes - this is to help it stick to the cake stand. Generously spread half of the vanilla buttercream on top of the first cake - place into the fridge for around 10 minutes to chill. Once the icing if firm enough to touch without leavening a indent, gently place the second cake on top of the first and ice with the remaining icing, begin careful not to let it move over the side of the cake. Top with the remaining vanilla soaked plums, slice into generous portions and enjoy at your next celebration. x
follow made from scratch On