My mother and grandmother used to make this cake. My grandmother came to America in 1904 from the Burgenland in Austria, and she called this Viennese Plum Cake, so that’s what we call it. It has a firm, almost dry texture, but is rich with butter and eggs. I often make this cake with fresh sliced peaches. While sliced apples also work, I think plums, peaches, and apricots are the better complement with this particular cake.
This lovely dessert would have been the featured pastry at “Jause” –a lovely old German/Austrian custom of pausing in the afternoon for cake and coffee and conversation. Prep time does not include time for cooling the torte layers.
This elegant looking fruit torte is one of the recipes that a family member brought back after a stay in Germany, where strawberry season sees these cakes in all the bakeries and cafes. Thanks to her grandmother we enjoy this marvellous dessert that never fails to please. In the off season I drain canned peaches and arrange the slices making for a impressive looking dessert when fresh strawberries are not available. The original recipe calls for a package of Oetker glaze which I am not finding this past while – any of the clear fruit glaze mixes will work.
This is the best pineapple upside-down cake! My mother has the same recipe in a book from the 1970’s and the same recipe is still available/posted on the Golden Circle website currently. Golden Circle is an Australian brand and canned from Australian grown products Sadly -this recipe I have not yet tried to make as gluten-free.
A perfect cake for picnics, this cuts well and may also be served warm with whipped cream. An Australian recipe posted for Zaar World Tour 2005
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