Rustic Jam Swirl Cake

Rustic Jam Swirl Cake on a round white marble board, with one slice cut to reveal golden moist crumb and jam swirls, styled with a bowl of jam, mint leaves, and a white towel in the softly blurred background. — Rustic Jam Swirl Cake — baked golden with rich jam swirls, presented on a marble board for a cozy, elegant touch.

Rustic Jam Swirl Cake is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug from the kitchen. With its tender crumb, gentle spice, and ribbons of sweet fruit jam baked right into the batter, it’s as comforting as it is beautiful. Perfect for tea time, casual gatherings, or a cozy Sunday afternoon treat, this cake brings nostalgic charm to your table without requiring hours of work.

The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity — you can use your favorite jam, whether it’s a tangy raspberry, golden apricot, or deep blackberry, and still get a perfect result every time. The spices enhance the fruitiness while the sour cream keeps each bite moist and luscious.

Interestingly, jam cakes have been beloved for centuries, often made when fresh fruit was scarce. They became a treasured way to enjoy fruit flavors year-round. This modern take keeps the tradition alive while delivering a tender, flavorful cake that’s effortless to make and impossible to resist.

Recipe Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
¾ cup fruit jam (apricot, raspberry, or blackberry work best)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and prepare:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.

2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.

3. Cream butter and sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

4. Add eggs and vanilla:
Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla until smooth.

5. Alternate mixing:
Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

6. Add jam:
Gently fold in the jam, swirling lightly for a marbled effect or mixing fully for even flavor.

7. Bake:
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool and serve:
Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with extra jam on top.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

Choose High-Quality Jam: Using a premium fruit jam with real fruit pieces will give your cake richer flavor and texture.
Avoid Overmixing: Mix the batter just until combined to keep the cake soft and tender.
Enhance with Glaze: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for an elegant finish that also locks in moisture.

Cooked it? 🍳 Loved it? ❤️ Changed it up? 🔄 Your opinion matters! Log in with Google or Facebook using the button below, share your foodie adventure, and let’s make cooking even more fun together! 🎉