ageing alcoholic plums

last august i made plums in orange-spiced calvados. ridiculously, a large tub of them has been sitting in the fridge, getting ever more potent as the months have passed. however, they are now (almost!) finished and were a fantastic boozy contribution to these little orange cakes.

now i just need to find a use for the leftover plummy calvados liquour that needs using up. any ideas?!?

plum and orange cakes (serves 6)

150g stewed plums

100g butter, softened

100g golden caster sugar

2 eggs, beaten

75g self raising flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

50g ground almonds

grated zest of 1 orange

2 tablespoons orange juice

preheat the oven to 180c.

butter six small ramekins (9cm diameter)and line the base of each with a circle of greaseproof paper. divide the plums between the ramekins, covering the base with one layer of fruit.

cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. add the eggs gradually, beating well after each addition. fold in the flour, baking powder, ground almonds, orange zest and orange juice.

divide the cake mixture between the ramekins, covering the plums. in the centre of each, make a slight dip in the cake mixture so it rises evenly. bake for 25 minutes, until the sponges are springy to touch.

leave to rest for a minute or so then run a knife around the edge of each cake and then turn them out onto a plate. drizzle with any leftover plum juices and serve with crème fraiche or mascarpone.