German Plum Cake with Streusel

This German Plum Cake with Streusel is one of those bakes that makes your whole kitchen smell amazing. It’s made with a soft, lightly sweet yeast dough (or a quick butter base if you’re short on time), topped with juicy plums and finished off with a crumbly, buttery streusel topping. It’s simple, cozy, and perfect for plum season—plus, it’s just sweet enough without being too much. Great with coffee, even better the next day!

💛 Why I Love This Recipe

German plum cake with golden streusel topping and juicy plum halves nestled in the dough, baked in a rectangular pan and dusted with powdered sugar.

This cake reminds me of my Oma’s kitchen—flour in the air, the smell of warm fruit and cinnamon, and a slice of cake served with hot tea. It’s homey, forgiving, and a total crowd-pleaser.

Classic German-style cake that never fails
Perfect way to use up lots of plums
The streusel topping is buttery and crisp
Not too sweet—great with coffee or tea
Freezes beautifully!

🍑 What You’ll Need

For the Dough:

2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¾ cup warm milk
¼ cup granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)

For the Topping:

1 ½–2 lbs fresh plums (halved and pitted)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

For the Streusel:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

ingredients for German plum cake with streusel: warm milk in a small clear glass jar, active dry yeast in a tiny white dish, granulated sugar in a clear glass jar, all-purpose flour in a small white bowl, one egg on a small white plate, vanilla extract on a small white plate, salt in a tiny dish, softened butter on a small plate, halved fresh plums in a clear bowl, cinnamon in a small dish, and cubed cold butter for streusel on a white plate

🧁 How to Make German Plum Cake with Streusel

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, mix warm milk, 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

yeast bubbling and foaming in a small bowl of warm milk and sugar.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add flour, remaining sugar, egg, vanilla, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Knead until smooth and soft.

flour, egg, vanilla, salt, and softened butter being mixed into the foamy yeast mixture in a bowl, forming a sticky, smooth dough.

Step 3: Let Dough Rise

Cover and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Ultra close-up of smooth dough resting in a bowl, slightly puffed, with a cloth partially covering the top.

Step 4: Prepare the Streusel

In a small bowl, mix flour and sugar, then cut in cold butter until crumbly.

flour and sugar in a bowl with cold cubed butter being blended in with fingers or a pastry cutter, forming coarse crumbs.

Step 5: Press Dough Into Pan

Press the risen dough into a greased rectangular baking pan.

soft risen dough being gently pressed into a rectangular baking pan, covering the bottom evenly.

Step 6: Add Plums and Sugar

Arrange halved plums in rows on top of the dough, cut-side up. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon if using.

plum halves arranged cut-side up in neat rows on top of the dough, being sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon

Step 7: Add Streusel Topping

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the plums.

crumbly streusel topping being sprinkled by hand over the plum-covered dough, coating the surface generously

Step 8: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling.

the plum cake in the oven, streusel lightly browned and plums soft and juicy

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let cool before slicing into squares or rectangles.

baked plum cake being sliced into squares, golden crumbs on the knife and juicy plums peeking out

☕ What to Serve With

Hot coffee or tea
A dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche
Vanilla ice cream
A sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving

❓ FAQ

Can I use regular plums?
Yes! Just cut them into smaller wedges if they’re big.

Can I skip the yeast and use a shortbread crust?
Totally. Some versions do that—great if you’re in a rush.

Does this freeze well?
Yes! Let it cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes—bake it the night before. It’s even better the next day.

Can I use canned plums?
Fresh is best, but drained canned plums work in a pinch.

🍽️ That’s It!

This German Plum Cake with Streusel is cozy, buttery, and the best way to celebrate plum season. Whether you’re making it for guests or just a slow afternoon, it’s a bake you’ll come back to every year. Let me know how yours turns out—especially if it reminds you of home too 💛🍰