Plum Delicious – Afternoon Tea Week Cake

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This week is Afternoon Tea Week. Officially.

To me, this means that there is hope for civilization in this cruel world.

Now, I know that I am not in the UK, the official location of this miraculous event, but I believe with all my tea-sipping, cake-eating, sandwich-nibbling, teapot-adoring soul that geography cannot limit the reach of Official Afternoon Tea Week. And we still have the weekend to partake in tea! With God and the blogosphere as my witness, the heavens may burn, and WordPress may repeatedly overwrite my post with nonsense, but tea will be had, in the afternoon, with dainty snacks!

 

Mirabelle Plum Afternoon Tea Cake

 

I originally wrote an excellent post about this cake and, as I petulantly mentioned above, WordPress saw fit to over-write it with a jumble of links. I was witty, and just a tad sentimental about the loveliness of the weather, neighbors, neighbors’ plum trees, and the many lovely ways that I celebrated the Mirabelle plums picked from a neighbor’s tree. But it seems it was not to be. I was not destined to wax lyrical about neighborly generosity, or Mirabelle plum jam, or liqueur. WordPress knew all along that this post and this cake recipe were to honor this auspicious week of our beloved afternoon tea.

 

Mirabelle Plum Afternoon Tea Cake

 

In the US there is great affection for taking tea as a special occasion. It seems to be treated rather like fine wine or caviar – reserved for a very special event (a bridal shower or Mothers Day), and for the wealthy among us. Now, I am as greedy for fancy things and tea parties in elegant hotels as the next person, but my favorite way to have afternoon tea is less frilly and more frugal.

 

If you have a little time, a teapot, tea, and something to nibble, you have the ingredients for afternoon tea. The most essential of which is time. It is the greatest luxury any of us can hope to afford, and I argue, that it is the element that makes afternoon tea as special as it is. It is indeed special to take time (and tea) to enjoy the afternoon, not to fill our bellies (like lunch or dinner), nor to merely boost our caffeine levels.

 

Mirabelle Plum Afternoon Tea Cake

 

This cake is the first that I have found that showcases all seasonal fruits beautifully. It never stands in the way of the fruit’s flavors or juices, but supports and elevates them. I have a particular love of sturdy but tender cakes, and this fits the bill perfectly. It was divine with my dainty Mirabelle plums – elegant golden French orbs only a little larger than a cherry. I covered the whole surface of the cake with them, and they sank into the batter, suspended happily under the craggy crust. It would be excellent with halved figs, chunks of pear, or plump blackberries. The batter is very thick and fragrant with cinnamon and cardamom, and it infinitely versatile. Lemon or orange zest and cognac would be welcome, as would the flavor and charming speckles of vanilla bean.

 

Mirabelle Plum Afternoon Tea Cake

 

So whip up some cake and brew some tea! Spend some time appreciating the day in good company.

 

 

Other plum cake/torte/tart recipes:

5 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for the link love! This cake is gorgeous, and I’m a huge fan of casual afternoon tea for one. When the fog rolls in and I feel the mid-day doldrums coming on, I revel in a strong cup. Love this post. <3

    • So true, Alanna! I’m hoping to try out a new tearoom in Berkeley. I’m all for tea at home, but a good tearoom can’t be beat!

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