Warm Honeyed Plum Skillet Cake
Tender skillet cake bakes around honeyed plums for a simple dessert with caramelized edges.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 6 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (131 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
A simple skillet fruit cake that borrows the sunny texture of cornmeal spoon bread.
Story
There is something comforting about setting a warm skillet dessert in the middle of the table and letting everyone lean in. The plums get a quick honeyed start, then the cornmeal batter bakes into a soft cake with crisp edges. It feels like a Sunday dessert but takes less than half an hour. A spoonful of ice cream melting over the top is all it needs.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 4 ripe plums, halved, pitted, and sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F and melt the butter in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add the plums and honey, cook for 3 minutes until glossy, and arrange the slices in an even layer.
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, then whisk the egg, milk, and vanilla in a second bowl.
- Stir the wet mixture into the dry just until no dry flour remains, then spoon the batter over the plums.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are deeply golden.
- Cool for 8 minutes, invert onto a plate or scoop straight from the skillet, and serve warm with cream or ice cream.
Chef Tips
- Choose plums that yield slightly when pressed but are not soft or bruised.
- Do not overmix the batter or the cake can turn dense.
- If the fruit is very tart, drizzle a little more honey over each serving.
- A 9-inch skillet makes a thicker cake and may need 3 extra minutes in the oven.
Cook's Notes
- **Fruit:** Slightly firm plums hold their shape best.
- **Batter:** Stir only until combined for a tender crumb.
- **Skillet:** Use a well-seasoned oven-safe skillet and handle it with a thick mitt.
- **Serving:** Let the cake rest briefly so the fruit juices settle.