15 Minutes Plum & Walnuts Upside Down Cake On STOVE TOP

15 Minutes Plum & Walnuts Upside Down Cake On STOVE TOP is a easy Turkish recipe that serves 4. 383 calories per serving. Recipe by Turkish Food Travel on YouTube.

Prep: 4 min | Cook: 9 min | Total: 17 min

Cost: $2.45 total, $0.61 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 Large Egg (room temperature)
  • 4 tbsp Granulated Sugar (for batter)
  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin or light; can use vegetable oil for milder flavor)
  • 3 tbsp Plain Yogurt (full‑fat; optional if using extra milk)
  • 0.25 cup Whole Milk (use with yogurt; if no yogurt use 0.5 cup milk)
  • 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (plus 1 heaped tbsp; add extra tbsp if batter too runny)
  • 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (extra) (optional, add if batter too thin)
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch (optional; can use wheat starch)
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 0.25 tsp Baking Soda (helps extra lightness)
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Cinnamon (optional, adds warm spice)
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Ginger (optional, adds subtle heat)
  • 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter (heaped, for caramel sauce)
  • 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar (caramel) (for caramel sauce)
  • 2 Plums (medium, quartered)
  • 0.25 cup Walnuts (chopped)
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar (sprinkled on top before cooking)

Instructions

  1. Make the Cake Batter

    In a mixing bowl whisk together the egg and 4 tbsp granulated sugar until frothy. Add 4 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp plain yogurt and ¼ cup milk; whisk until smooth. Stir in ½ cup + 1 tbsp all‑purpose flour, 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional), 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp baking soda, and optional ½ tsp cinnamon and ½ tsp ground ginger. Mix until just combined; if the batter looks too runny, add the extra 1 tbsp flour.

    Time: PT2M

  2. Prepare Caramel Sauce

    Place the skillet over low‑medium heat, add 1 tbsp heaped butter and let it melt. Sprinkle 2 tbsp sugar over the butter and stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a light amber color. Turn off the heat.

    Time: PT1M

  3. Arrange Fruit and Walnuts

    Quarter the plums and spread them evenly over the caramel in the skillet. Scatter a handful (about ¼ cup) of chopped walnuts over the fruit. Cook on low‑medium heat for about 1 minute until the fruit begins to soften and the mixture caramelizes slightly.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Add the Batter

    Pour the prepared batter over the fruit and walnuts, spreading gently with a spatula so the batter covers the fruit completely.

    Time: PT30S

  5. Steam‑Cook the Cake

    Sprinkle the top with 1 tsp brown sugar, cover the skillet with its lid, and cook on low‑medium heat for about 8 minutes. Occasionally jiggle the pan to prevent sticking, but keep the lid on to trap steam.

    Time: PT8M

  6. Flip and Finish Cooking

    Place a flat plate over the skillet, carefully invert the cake onto the plate, then slide it back into the skillet (or use a second skillet) to cook the other side for another 2 minutes until golden.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Serve Warm

    Slide the cake onto a serving plate, let it cool for a minute, then serve warm. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of plain yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice‑cream if desired.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
383
Protein
6 g
Carbohydrates
55 g
Fat
18 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains nuts, Contains gluten

Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Walnuts, Gluten

Last updated: April 18, 2026

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15 Minutes Plum & Walnuts Upside Down Cake On STOVE TOP

Recipe by Turkish Food Travel

A quick and easy Turkish-inspired upside-down cake made on the stovetop. Sweet caramelized plums and crunchy walnuts sit beneath a fluffy, lightly spiced cake batter. No oven needed – ready in about 15 minutes.

EasyTurkishServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
3m
Prep
11m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
24m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$2.45
Total cost
$0.61
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Make the cake batter until smooth but not over‑mixed
  • Prepare caramel sauce without burning
  • Steam‑cook the cake with lid on low heat
  • Flip the cake carefully to finish cooking the top side

Safety Warnings

  • The skillet and caramel sauce become very hot – handle with oven mitts.
  • Steam released when removing the lid can cause burns; open slowly.
  • Do not leave the caramel unattended as sugar can burn quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of upside-down fruit cakes in Turkish cuisine?

A

Upside-down fruit cakes, known as "türlü" or "türlü tatlısı," have roots in Ottoman home cooking where seasonal fruits were layered with sweet batter and cooked on the stovetop, allowing families to enjoy fresh fruit desserts without an oven.

cultural
Q

What traditional regional variations of Turkish upside-down cakes exist besides the plum version?

A

In different Turkish regions, the fruit base changes: apricots in the Aegean coast, cherries in Central Anatolia, and figs in the Mediterranean area. Each variation uses the same simple batter but highlights local seasonal produce.

cultural
Q

How is an authentic Turkish upside-down plum and walnut cake traditionally served?

A

It is served warm, directly from the pan, often accompanied by a spoonful of plain yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice‑cream, and enjoyed with tea or Turkish coffee as an afternoon treat.

cultural
Q

During which Turkish celebrations or occasions is an upside-down plum cake commonly prepared?

A

This cake is popular during spring festivals such as Nevruz, family gatherings, and as a quick dessert for weekend tea sessions, especially when fresh plums are in season.

cultural
Q

How does the upside-down plum and walnut cake fit into the broader Turkish dessert tradition?

A

It exemplifies the Turkish love for simple, fruit‑forward sweets that rely on caramelization and minimal ingredients, echoing the philosophy of comfort desserts like "şekerpare" and "revani" but cooked on the stovetop.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Turkish upside-down plum cake versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include fresh plums, walnuts, butter, granulated sugar, plain yogurt, and all‑purpose flour. Acceptable substitutes are vegetable oil for butter, milk instead of yogurt, and any nut of choice if walnuts are unavailable.

cultural
Q

What other Turkish dishes pair well with an upside-down plum and walnut cake?

A

It pairs nicely with a cup of strong Turkish tea, a side of fresh cheese like "beyaz peynir," or a small serving of "sütlaç" (rice pudding) for a varied dessert spread.

cultural
Q

What makes the stovetop upside-down plum and walnut cake special in Turkish cuisine?

A

Its uniqueness lies in the caramelized fruit base cooked without an oven, delivering a moist, fragrant cake in minutes—perfect for homes without a conventional oven and reflecting the resourceful Ottoman kitchen techniques.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the stovetop upside-down plum and walnut cake?

A

Common errors include using too high heat, which burns the caramel; over‑mixing the batter, leading to a dense texture; and flipping the cake before the bottom is fully set, causing it to break apart.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use a low‑medium heat and a covered pan instead of baking in an oven?

A

Low‑medium heat with a covered pan creates gentle steam that lifts the batter, mimicking the even heat of an oven while allowing the fruit’s sugars to caramelize directly on the stovetop, preserving moisture and flavor.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Turkish Food Travel specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Turkish Food Travel, hosted by Aysenur Altan, specializes in showcasing authentic Turkish recipes, regional street foods, and travel‑related culinary experiences, often focusing on quick, home‑cooked dishes that require minimal equipment.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Turkish Food Travel's approach to Turkish cooking differ from other Turkish cooking channels?

A

Turkish Food Travel emphasizes on‑the‑spot cooking during travel, using locally sourced ingredients and simple stovetop methods, whereas many other channels focus on elaborate restaurant‑style presentations or baked goods that need a full kitchen setup.

channel

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