Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

9 or 10 large black plums, halved and pitted

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pans

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, the milk, oil, and egg. Fold into flour mixture.
  2. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, and smooth tops. Arrange plums, cut sides up, over batter.
  3. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar, and sprinkle over plums. Dot with butter. Bake until tops are dark golden, plums are soft, and a toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool. (Cakes are best the day you make them; leftover cake is great for breakfast the next day.)