Plum Yeasty Bread Recipe

This Plum Yeasty Bread is a soft and fluffy recipe, which is made with fresh plums and a rich butter dough. It’s the perfect fall treat, a classic European-style coffee cake ready in about an hour, plus rising time.

Plum Yeasty Bread Ingredients

A classic combination for a truly authentic and comforting sweet bread.

For the Dough:

• 150ml milk, plus a little extra
• 20g fresh yeast (or 1 x 7g sachet of dried yeast)
• 60g caster sugar
• 450g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 80g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt

For the Topping:

• 825g green or red plums
• 5 tablespoons caster sugar
• 1 small pinch of ground cloves
• 1 small pinch of ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla sugar

How To Make Plum Yeasty Bread

A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully soft, spiced, and fragrant sweet bread.

1. Activate the Yeast: Gently heat 3 tablespoons of the milk in a saucepan until lukewarm. Pour it into a cup and add the yeast, a pinch of sugar, and a pinch of flour. Set aside for a few minutes until it starts to prove and bubble.
2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and both sugars. When the yeast is bubbly, add it to the flour mixture. Work in the eggs, the rest of the milk, the softened butter, and the lemon zest.
3. Knead and First Rise: Knead the mixture on a floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover with a tea towel, and put it in a warm place to double in size for about 45 minutes.
4. Prepare Topping and Shape Dough: While the dough is rising, halve and destone the plums. Toss them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of the caster sugar. Once the dough has risen, press it into a greased and lightly dusted baking tray, to about 3cm high.
5. Second Rise and Bake: Arrange the plum halves, cut-side down, on top of the dough. In a small bowl, mix the remaining caster sugar with all the spices, then sprinkle this mixture over the plums. Let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
6. Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Bake the risen bread for 40 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Dust with vanilla sugar while it’s still warm, then serve.

Recipe Tips

For a perfect, fluffy yeast bread every time.

• How to get a soft, fluffy bread? The enriched dough, made with milk, eggs, and butter, is key to a soft crumb. Also, be sure not to add too much extra flour during kneading. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
• Why isn’t my dough rising? This is usually a yeast issue. Make sure your yeast isn’t expired. The “lukewarm” milk is also crucial—it should be warm to the touch, like a baby’s bath, but not hot, as water that is too hot can kill the yeast.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This is best eaten on the day it’s made. However, you can make the dough and let it do its first rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. This will develop a deeper flavor. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping.
• What are the best plums to use? Firm but ripe plums are the best choice. Italian prune plums or damsons are classic, as they hold their shape well during baking and have a good balance of sweet and tart flavor.

What To Serve With Plum Yeasty Bread

The perfect accompaniments for this classic “Kaffee und Kuchen” treat.

This sweet bread, often called “Pflaumenkuchen” in Germany, is the centerpiece of an afternoon coffee break. It is perfect with:

• A dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A hot cup of black coffee or a spiced tea

How To Store Plum Yeasty Bread

Keeping your sweet bread fresh.

• Room Temperature: This bread is at its best when eaten on the day it is baked, especially when still slightly warm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The fruit will make it quite moist.

Plum Yeasty Bread Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per slice.

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Fat: 8 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

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• Simple soda bread Recipe
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