German Cheesecake-Swirl Plum Cake
Servings
12
Servings
12
Ingredients
Plums
Cheesecake Layer
Pepita Streusel
Spiced Cake Batter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray with cooking spray or lightly butter a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. Cut plums into quarters & set aside.
Cheesecake
  1. In a separate medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla extract & cornstarch together until completely smooth & free of lumps. Set aside in refrigerator.
Streusel
  1. In the bowl, using a mixer, combine the flour, chopped pepitas, sugar & cinnamon. Add the soft butter & beat until everything is combined & the crumbs have a coarse, distinctly textured crumble (about 30 seconds to 1 minute). Set aside.
Spiced Cake Batter
  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, ground cardamom & black pepper. Add sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, butter & eggs. Beat at a low speed with a mixer until combined, then increase speed to medium-high & beat until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
Assembly/Baking
  1. Spread spiced cake batter evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Top with cheesecake batter, spreading evenly over the cake batter leaving a narrow 1/2-inch border around the outside edge. Gently drag a butter knife through both layers in a fiqure-8 pattern to create a subtle marble effect.
  2. Gently place plum slices in a concentric pattern directly on top of the cheesecake layer. Push them skin side down so the juices pool in the plum skins.
  3. Using your fingers, sprinkle the pepita streusel evenly on top of the plums.
  4. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until the top of the cake is lightly golden & the center no longer jiggles. Test with a skewer in the center for doneness.
  5. Let the cake sit in the pan for about 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the outer ring of the springform. Let cool to room temperature before serving so the cheesecake layer can fully set.
  6. Serves 12
Recipe Notes

• If you prefer, swap the pepita seeds for 1/4 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats to create a crisp, textured crumble.
• If using pepita seeds, toast seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until they are fragrant & lightly golden before chopping them. Let them cool completely before mixing them into the streusel so they do not melt other ingredients.