SPICED CHOCOLATE PLUM CAKE

MAKES 1 LARGE CAKE

PREP AND BAKING TIME 1 HR 15 MINS

240g (2 cups) flour

10ml (2 tsp) baking powder

10ml (2 tsp) ground ginger

45ml (3 tbsp) dark cocoa powder

Pinch of salt

180g butter, softened

200g brown sugar

3 eggs

180ml buttermilk (or use plain yoghurt) 8 large red plums, halved

5ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon

50g caster or coconut sugar

To serve:

Icing sugar, sifted

Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 180°C and spray a 23cm springform cake pan. Line base with baking paper. Sift flour, baking powder, ginger, cocoa and salt into a large bowl. Beat butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in sifted dry ingredients and buttermilk. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and arrange the plum halves on top, cut side up. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for about 50 minutes or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Dust with sifted icing sugar and serve with a dollop of cream.