This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
This yogurt plum cake is soft, moist, and packed with juicy fresh plums. Made with Greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, it’s an easy way to turn seasonal plums into a simple, flavorful cake.
Recipe at a Glance
- Flavor: Buttery, lightly sweet, with juicy bursts of fresh plums in every bite
- Texture: Soft, moist, and tender thanks to creamy Greek yogurt
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
- Best For: Breakfast, brunch, afternoon coffee, or an easy summer dessert
- Made With: Fresh plums, Greek yogurt, and simple pantry staples
- Sweetness Level: Lightly sweet, letting the natural flavor of the plums shine
- One Bowl: Minimal dishes and easy to make
- Seasonal Favorite: A delicious way to use ripe summer plums
- Make Ahead: Stays moist for several days and tastes even better the next day
“Came out delicious. I was on a hunt for healthy snacks for my 1-year-old. He was delighted by the cake. Thank You!” – Nadeesha
If baking up simple, comforting treats like this brings you joy, you might also love this cozy eggless carrot walnut cake or this easy blueberry banana cake. This naturally sweetened date walnut cake is the one my mama friends always ask me to bring to playdates.
For even more wholesome bakes the whole family will enjoy, take a look at this collection of easy snack cake recipes, all in one place for simple, comforting treats any day of the week.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- White Whole Wheat Flour – A more wholesome alternative to all-purpose flour that still yields a light texture. All-purpose flour also works.
- Ripe Plums –Choose ripe plums that give slightly when gently squeezed but aren’t overly soft. Both red and black varieties work beautifully.
- Plain Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt adds moisture and richness while creating a tender crumb.
- Eggs – Provide structure and moisture.
- Maple Syrup or Honey – Naturally sweetens the cake with no refined sugar.
- Lemon Zest – Adds brightness that pairs perfectly with plums.
Substitutions
Whether you’re working with what you have on hand or need to make the recipe dairy-free, there are plenty of simple swaps that still deliver delicious results.
- Flour – Replace the white whole wheat flour with an equal amount of all-purpose flour for a slightly lighter texture.
- Yogurt – You can use plain regular yogurt in place of Greek yogurt, just note the batter may be slightly thinner, but it will still bake up beautifully. For a dairy-free option, use any unsweetened dairy-free yogurt such as coconut, almond, or soy yogurt. Check out my picks for best yogurt for babies.
- Butter – Replace with neutral oil like avocado or light olive oil for a dairy-free twist or lighter flavor.
- Maple Syrup or Honey – Both work well. If using honey, keep in mind it may brown faster in the oven. Check for doneness a bit early.
How to Make Yogurt Plum Cake
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt, melted butter (or oil), maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla until smooth.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and add to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Gently fold together until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Small lumps are fine doesn’t have to be completely smooth.
Step 4: Gently fold in the lemon zest at the end to evenly distribute it through the batter.
Step 5: Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan.
Step 6: Arrange the plum slices on top in a circular pattern. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Expert Tips
- Let your ingredients warm up a bit – Room temp eggs and yogurt help everything mix better and bake up nice and even.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until the flour disappears for the most tender texture. Overmixing will create a dense cake.
- Keep an eye on it – If you’re using honey or a dark pan, it might bake a little faster. Start checking around 25 minutes.
- Let the cake cool before slicing – Let the cake hang out in the pan for 10 minutes. This helps the crumb set and makes cleaner slices.
Variations
You can easily customize this cake with your favorite flavors:
- Add warm spices – Add ½ tsp cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg to the dry mix.
- Include nuts – Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds over the top before baking for added crunch.
- Make it extra citrusy – Add orange zest along with the lemon zest for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Add berries – Fold in a handful of blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries for additional bursts of fruit.
- Fruit Substitutions – Try sliced peaches, nectarines, apricots, thinly sliced apples, pears, or even cherries.
- For more flavor, roast or sauté the plums in a bit of honey before topping the cake.
- Add a swirl of plum or raspberry jam into the batter for a burst of extra fruit flavor.
Yogurt Plum Cake FAQs
Let the cake cool completely, then store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days – just know it will firm up slightly when chilled. You can reheat in the microwave briefly. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.
Italian prune plums, black plums, and red plums are all excellent choices. Use ripe fruit that still feels slightly firm.
Overmixing the batter can cause a dense texture. Also make sure your leavening is fresh and your plums aren’t too wet.
Yes! Use a dairy-free yogurt (like coconut or almond) and flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg). Texture may vary slightly.
Use roasted or sautéed plums, or swirl in a bit of plum jam. You can also sprinkle brown sugar over the fruit for deeper caramelization.
More Healthy Cake Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Struggling with Decision Fatigue?
Go ad-free and unlock all my recipes, EXCLUSIVE favorites, and weekly meal plans made just for you!
Yogurt Plum Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour (180g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (230g)
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter (see note)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2-3 ripe plums, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt, melted butter (or oil), maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and add to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
- Gently fold together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy. Gently fold in the lemon zest at the end to evenly distribute it through the batter.
- Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan. Arrange the plum slices on top in a circular pattern.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Notes
-
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture and even baking.
- Feel free to swap out butter with 1/4 cup of avocado or olive oil.
-
- Don’t overmix the batter—this helps keep the cake light and tender.
-
- Check for doneness early if using honey or a dark pan.
-
- Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Hi Min, thank you for this recipe. I am excited to try it! Can I ask if I should be using salted or unsalted butter?
Hi! Unsalted :).
So delicious! I can never finish the plums I buy so this was perfect
Delicious cake! Making it for the second time now, because the first one went down so well with the 3 year old and grown ups alike 🙂
Can I ask, is the nutritional content calculated per serving?
Hi! SO happy you guys enjoyed this cake! I calculated the nutrition info per slice, with the cake divided into 10 servings!
What about a different fruit than plums?
Peaches?
Sure!!
If using peaches instead of plums, would other ingredients need to be adjusted?
not at all you can follow the recipe as is :). Enjoy!
Came out delicious. I was on a hunt for healthy snacks for my 1-year-old. He was delighted by the cake. Thank You!
Delicious! Light and fluffy and just sweet enough. Thank you for sharing!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed this cake as well!!
Hi Min! Excited to try this – wondering how long you recommend roasting the plums with honey before adding it to the cake & baking? Thank you!
Hi! you want the plums to be softened, slightly caramelized, and jammy—but not completely broken down so I recommend 375F for about 15-20 minutes, start checking at 15 min! Let me know how it turns out for you! Enjoy
Hello! Can I use ricotta cheese instead of yoghurt? I feel it might work similarly in the preparation. Thanks for your content! 🍰
Hi! I haven’t tried but ricotta is thicker and grainier than Greek yogurt, so your cake may turn out a bit denser and slightly more textured. If you want to try, you may want to add a splash or two of milk to help loosen the batter if too thick!
Hi there,
just curious about the butter or oil…..in the notes i can’t see any mention of using oil instead. Would it be the same amount ? Also could i use sugar instead of the honey/maple , and if so how much please ? Looking forward to making this, it looks delicious. Cheers Sophia
Hi! Sorry about that yes 1/4 cup! You can definitely use sugar. I would start with 1/3-1/2 cup depending on your preference!