Ingredients
1½cupsall purpose flour,spooned into measuring cup and leveled off
1½tspbaking powder
1tspcinnamon
¼tspnutmeg
⅛tspcardamom
½tspsalt
8tbspunsalted butter,(½ cup), softened, plus more for greasing the pan
1cupsugar,(plus 2 tbsp), divided
1largeegg
1tspvanilla extract
½cupmilk
1lbplums,pitted and quartered
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. (Alternatively, the cake may be made in a 9-inch cake pan or pie pan and served directly from the pan.)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, and beat on low speed until smooth. (Note: the batter will be quite thick.)
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Arrange the plums on top, skin side up, in a circular pattern so that they mostly cover the batter. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the plums.
Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center.
When the cake is hot out of the oven, run a knife around the edges of the pan and then remove the springform edge, leaving the base in place (if using a springform pan).
Let the cake cool on a rack completely. Slice and serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
