Sticky plum and custard cake

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/ gas 4. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm x 30cm x 5cm cake or swiss roll tin with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one by one, adding a little flour with each. Fold in the rest of the flour, the bicarbonate of soda and the salt.
3. Fold in the vanilla extract, custard and chopped plums, then pour the mixture into the cake tin and smooth out. Bake for 25 minutes, then very gently, so the mixture isn’t disturbed, remove from the oven and lightly lay the plum halves, cut-side up, on top. Scatter with the almonds, then bake for another 45 minutes or until golden – cover with foil if the cake browns too quickly. Test the cake is ready by pushing a skewer into the middle – it should be slightly sticky but not wet.
4. Remove from the oven and leave in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with golden syrup to serve.