1 c Unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1/4 c Granulated sugar
3/4 c Dark brown sugar; firmly
-packed
2 lg Eggs
1 ts Vanilla extract
2 1/2 c All-purpose flour;
- high altitude +2 tb
2 ts Baking powder;
- high altitude -1/2 ts
1 ts Baking soda
1/2 ts Salt
2 ts Ground cinnamon
16 oz Can purple plums packed in
-syrup; well-drained, syrup
-reserved and plums chopped
Confectioners sugar
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter
until creamy and light, then gradually add the sugars, beating until creamy
and smooth. Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla. Sift the flour, baking
powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Stir the dry ingredients
into the butter mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup reserved syrup, beginning
and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in the plums. Pour the batter into a
buttered 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick
inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Turn the cake out onto
a rack and allow it to cool, then dust with confectioners' sugar.
From the novel, The Cereal Murders by Diane Mott Davidson.
