Plum season: tips for baking flavorful cakes

The second half of summer brings plum season, with fruit of varying size, color and taste now widely available. Some plums are tart, others sweet; some are very juicy, while others have a mealier texture. This diversity makes plums a versatile ingredient suited to many different kinds of cakes.

Matching the fruit to the recipe

While plums work well in nearly any baked good, it matters which variety or ripeness is chosen for a given recipe. Juicier plums suit certain cakes better, while firmer, less juicy ones are better suited to others.

A good time to try it

For anyone who hasn't yet tried a plum cake, now is a good time to do so, since the plum season is short and many delicious options could otherwise be missed.