Plum Cake / Kolač sa šljivama

A super easy and delicious Plum Cake / Kolač sa šljivama. Inspired by the old-school Serbian cherry cakes and plum cakes which are effortless to put together, a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Made by creaming together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then adding the eggs and dry ingredients with the plums scattered in the middle and on top of the cake. The sweet, tangy flavor of the plums pairs perfectly with the buttery, moist cake for a delicious and indulgent treat. For me, this is the best plum cake I have made to date, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!

About this recipe

When the seasons come, plum cakes and cherry cakes are super popular in Serbia. The cake batter for Serbian Plum Cakes is usually made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Once it is baked, it is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar. The cake itself is usually a rich, buttery sponge and is studded with chunks of juicy plum which are super delicious to bite into. Served during the holiday season or for special occasions, it’s enjoyed with a cup of strong coffee or a shot of rakija. But I like to make this cake even at random occasions, just because it is irresistibly delicious. 

This Plum Cake / Kolač sa šljivama is inspired by the Serbian cakes but with the addition of a warm cinnamon spice and a splash of vanilla essence. I find that these pair beautifully with the sweet-tart flavor of the plums. I also sprinkle the top of the cake with some brown sugar for that extra sweetness. You can bake this cake in any cake tin of your choice. But it is best when baked in a springform pan as you can cut slices easier. When sliced, the cake reveals tender chunks of plum nestled within the golden crumb. This dessert is perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee, and it’s sure to be a hit with anyone who loves sweet, fruity desserts.

Making the recipe

Butter a springform pan (26 cm diameter) with some butter and line the pan with baking paper. The butter helps the baking paper stick in place. 

Using a stand mixer, or a hand mixer, mix the room temperature butter until light and fluffy (this can take up to 3 minutes). Gradually add the sugar to the butter and mix until well combined. Then, add the Greek yogurt, and the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla essence. At this point, the mixture will look curdled, but do not worry. Once you add in the dry ingredients the mixture will combine nicely. 

While mixing, gradually add in all the flour. Do not dump all the flour at once as it may become tricky to combine. Lastly, add the baking powder and cinnamon. Using a spatula, scoop any bits of the bottom of the bowl, in case some of the dry ingredients do not fully combine. 

Pour half of the batter into the already lined round spring tin. Next, evenly spread half of the plums over the batter. Lastly, pour the remaining half of the batter and top the entire cake with the remaining plums. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon evenly and bake. 

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page with the ingredients and instructions. 

Some tips

Below you will find a few tips for making a delicious Plum Cake / Kolač sa šljivama: 

Choose ripe plums: The flavor and texture of your plum cake will depend on the quality of your plums. Choose plums that are ripe but still firm, with a rich, sweet aroma. 

Grease and flour your cake pan: To prevent your plum cake from sticking to the pan, be sure to grease and flour it before adding the batter. I usually grease the pan and then add baking paper so that the paper sticks to all edges. 

Use room temperature butter: To create a light and fluffy mix, you will need to use butter that has softened to room temperature. If you use butter fresh from the fridge, you will find it hard to mix and will not get the light and fluffy texture. 

Adjust the sweetness: If your plums are particularly tart, you may want to add a bit more sugar to the batter to balance out the flavor. Conversely, if your plums are overly sweet, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar to prevent the cake from being overly sweet. 

Let the cake cool completely: Once your plum cake is finished baking, be sure to let it cool completely in the pan before removing it. This will help the cake hold its shape and prevent it from crumbling. 

Check on the baking process: Every oven is different so the baking time can vary by a few minutes! Also, if your fruit is extra juicy, it will influence the cooking time. To be sure, check on the cake more often towards the end of the baking process. 

Looking for more?

If you are looking for more ideas, try one of the recipes below:

Gibanica – Serbian Cheese Pie

Kokosov Rolat / Coconut Roll

Russian Salad / Ruska Salata

This is truly the best Plum Cake / Kolač sa šljivama I have made so far. I love it so much, and I hope that you will enjoy making and eating every delicious bite. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts. If you have a moment, please leave this recipe a rating. I would love to hear what you think, and if you make this recipe or have any questions, you can find me over on Instagram. You can also find a video for this recipe over on TikTok.