### How to Make a Delicious Connolas German Plum Cake
Connolas German plum cake is a delightful and traditional German dessert that combines rich flavors of plums and spices. Follow these detailed steps to make this mouth-watering treat at home.
#### Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pitted plums, halved and cored
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
#### Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- 9-inch cake pan
- Parchment paper (optional)
#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat Your Oven**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients**
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Set aside to keep dry ingredients separate from wet ingredients until ready to use.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar**
- In another large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup of softened butter with 3/4 cup sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
4. **Add Wet Ingredients**
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until they are incorporated.
5. **Prepare Plums**
- In a small bowl, mix together half of the batter with the plum halves.
- Spread the remaining batter in the prepared cake pan and top it with the plum-batter mixture.
6. **Add Apricot Preserves**
- Spoon apricot preserves evenly over the plum batter.
7. **Bake the Cake**
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. **Cool and Serve**
- Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
#### Tips for Success:
- Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature, especially butter, for best results in mixing.
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients; just until combined to avoid tough cake texture.
- Letting the plums sit in the sugar before adding them can intensify their sweetness and enhance flavor.
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Enjoy crafting this classic German plum cake with your loved ones, and be sure to share any modifications or variations you try in the comments below!