Spiced Plum Upside-Down Cake

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An easy-to-make spiced cake with a caramel glazed fruit top.

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, optional
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds firm ripe plums, cut into 1/2-inch wedges (or halved if small)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook’s Note)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk or 3/4 cup whole milk whisked with 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
For the caramel and fruit: Stir the sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water together in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet to make a mixture like wet sand. Cook over medium-high heat until melted and light amber, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt if making a salted caramel. Arrange the plums, cut-side down, on top.
For the batter: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk, stirring until just incorporated.
Pour the batter over the fruit and spread evenly. Bake until golden brown all over and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes and then invert onto a serving platter. Cool to room temperature before serving.