Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Grease and line a 28cm x 18cm shallow baking tin with baking parchment, making sure that the paper comes higher than the rim of the tin.

Step 2

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft. Add the vanilla bean paste or extract, caster sugar and one of the eggs, and beat using a hand-held electric whisk until smooth.

Step 3

Place the remaining eggs, butter, muscovado sugar and flour in a separate bowl. Beat for about 2 minutes until pale and creamy.

Step 4

Spread half of the creamed flour mixture onto the base of the tray, then dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over it, spreading an uneven swirl through the base mixture. Scatter with half of the plums. Spoon the remaining creamed flour mixture on top and dot with the rest of the cream cheese.

Step 5

Scatter with the remaining plums then bake for about 45 minutes until risen and just firm to touch. Leave to cool in the tin before cutting into pieces. Serve warm or cold, with ice cream.