Plum Jam Cake
Plum jam cake: a rustic delicacy, full of flavor and memories, perfect for accompanying moments of indulgence with family and friends. This recipe inspired by Romanian culinary tradition combines tender layers with the sweet and fragrant filling of plum jam, creating an irresistible dessert.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12 servings
Ingredients:
- 10 tablespoons water
- 10 tablespoons oil (choose a neutral oil so as not to influence the taste)
- 10 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for a subtle tangy flavor)
- 2 tablespoons baking soda (you can also use ammonia bicarbonate, but baking soda is easier to find and has a milder taste)
- Flour, as needed (about 500 g, or enough to obtain a soft and easy-to-roll dough)
- Plum jam (about 400 g, for filling)
- Powdered sugar, for decoration
Preparation instructions:
1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine the water, oil, and sugar. Mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the tomato paste, which will give an interesting note to the dessert.
2. Activating the baking soda: If you chose baking soda, add it now. It will react with the acidic ingredients in the tomato paste, helping the layers rise. If using ammonia bicarbonate, make sure you extinguish it with lemon juice before adding it to the dough.
3. Forming the dough: Start gradually adding flour, mixing continuously, until you obtain a soft and elastic dough. It is important not to add too much flour, so that the layers do not become too tough.
4. Dividing the dough: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. You can make smaller or larger layers, depending on your preferences.
5. Rolling out the layers: On a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a thin layer. Make sure the layers are approximately equal in size for even baking.
6. Baking the layers: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the layers on the back of one or two baking trays lined with parchment paper. Bake each layer for 10 minutes, or until they become lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely.
7. Filling the cake: After the layers have cooled, spread a generous layer of plum jam on each layer. Stack the layers, ensuring that the filling is evenly distributed.
8. Soaking the cake: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and parchment paper. Let it rest for about 1-2 hours. This step is essential, as it helps the layers absorb moisture from the jam, making them more flavorful and delicious.
9. Serving: Cut the cake into squares or diamonds, as preferred, and dust with powdered sugar before serving. You can also add some chopped nuts or coconut flakes for extra texture.
Suggestions and variations:
- You can experiment with different types of jams or preserves, such as those made from apricots or apples, to create a variety of flavors.
- If you want a more intense flavor, you can also add a splash of cinnamon to the filling mixture.
- Served alongside a cup of coffee or tea, this cake becomes the perfect choice for a relaxing afternoon.
Enjoy this plum jam cake and let yourself be carried away by the memories of flavors from the past!
Ingredients: 10 tablespoons of water, 10 tablespoons of oil, 10 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 teaspoons of ammonium bicarbonate extinguished with lemon (I replaced it with sodium bicarbonate, as I do not like ammonia in any form), flour enough to make a dough that is good for rolling out.
