ITALIAN ALMOND PLUM CAKE

ITALIAN ALMOND PLUM CAKE – this is the perfect picnic cake, pot luck cake, brunch cake, tea or cocktail time cake! 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. kosher salt ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 large egg ¾ cup sugar ½ cup whole milk ¼ cup vegetable oil 12 Italian plums, pitted and cut in quarters Topping: 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar ½ cup sliced almonds 2 tablespoons flour ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces Preheat the oven to 375˚.  Grease a 9” x 2” round heavy-duty cake pan with vegetable pan spray. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the almond extract, egg, sugar, milk, and oil; whisk until smooth. Fold the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Arrange the plum quarters on the batter, in not any particular fashion.  They will be covered with the topping anyway. Combine the brown sugar, almonds, flour, cinnamon, and the butter (use a pastry cutter to make sure the butter is evenly distributed) and then sprinkle the mixture over the plums. Bake for 35 minutes on middle until the top of the cake is golden, the plums are soft, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, Cool slightly before serving. Invert over on a platter, then invert back again so top is up, sprinkle with powdered sugar on top. Serves 8.