Plum Crumble Recipe: Simple, Delicious, and Easy to Make

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This plum crumble recipe is perfect for dessert! With sweet plums and a buttery crumble topping, it’s easy to make and loved by all.

Plum Crumble Recipe: Simple, Delicious, and Easy to Make on a plate

Baking with fresh fruit brings a world of freshness and excitement to your desserts! Imagine the sweet and sour taste of Morello cherries in a soft sponge cake or a classic French cherry clafoutis, with juicy cherries baked into a custard-like batter. For a cosy, autumn-inspired treat, try an apple and raisin bundt cake drizzled with caramel sauce.

If you’re a fan of berries, the combination of raspberries and coconut in a light, moist cake is a must-try. Love apples? Choose an apple cake that’s either loaded with fruit or mostly apples. Even for plant-based bakers, vegan banana bread is a delicious, guilt-free option. With so many ways to incorporate fresh fruit desserts into your baking, why not start today?

Baking with seasonal fruits, especially those that are locally sourced or organic, not only enhances taste but supports a healthier lifestyle. Whether you’re picking apples from a nearby farm or choosing fresh berries from a local market, it’s a great way to connect with nature.

Visiting a pick-your-own farm is also a fun and educational experience for kids, helping them get in touch with where their food comes from and encouraging them to enjoy fresh fruits. It’s a rewarding way to make baking both delicious and meaningful while teaching kids the importance of fresh, natural ingredients.

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Involving kids in the cooking process is a fantastic way to connect them with food and boost their confidence. When they help mix, measure, or assemble ingredients, it sparks curiosity about how different foods come together. Encouraging them to experiment with fruits and flavours makes it fun and engaging.

These hands-on experiences foster a positive relationship with food and instil healthy eating habits. Plus, cooking together creates lasting memories. Before you know it, they’ll be excited to try their own recipes and share their love for cooking with others.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This plum crumble is a simple yet satisfying dessert that comes together with basic ingredients. The combination of fresh plums with a buttery, crumbly topping creates the perfect balance between juicy fruit and a slightly crunchy topping. Whether you’re hosting guests or looking for a quick homemade treat, this recipe fits the bill. Plus, you can easily customize it with different fruits or flavour variations.

What You’ll Need to Make Plum Crumble

Ingredients for a plum crumble laid out, including fresh plums, white sugar, lemon zest, cornstarch, flour, ground almonds, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and cubes of cold butter.

Here’s a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need for this plum crumble recipe:

  • Plums: Fresh plums are the star of this recipe, providing sweetness and juiciness. Be sure to use ripe but firm plums for the best texture.
  • White Sugar: Used to sweeten the plums and balance their natural tartness.
  • Lemon Zest: Adds a subtle citrus note that brightens the taste of the plums.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the plum juices as they cook, ensuring the filling isn’t too runny.
  • Flour: The base of the crumble topping, gives it structure and a golden crust.
  • Ground Almonds: Add a nutty depth to the crumble and complement the sweetness of the plums.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight molasses flavour, giving the crumble a richer taste.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the crumble topping rise slightly, making it light and crisp.
  • Cinnamon: A warm spice that pairs perfectly with plums, adding a comforting aroma.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the taste of the crumble topping.
  • Cold Butter: Cut into cubes, the butter creates that perfect, crumbly texture when mixed with the dry ingredients. It melts into the topping during baking, creating a rich, buttery finish.

How to Make my Plum Crumble

Ready to make something comforting? Try our plum crumble! It’s quick, easy, and packed with delicious flavours. We’ll guide you step-by-step, from prepping the plums to creating the perfect crumble topping. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Take a peek at our handy guide, complete with step-by-step photos.

Collage of two images: the first shows a person cutting plums into slices, and the second features the sliced plums in a clear glass bowl.
A collage featuring two images: the first shows fresh plums in a bowl with white sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest, highlighting the ingredients for a plum crumble. The second image displays the plums well-coated in the mixture, ready for baking.

Slice the plums and add them to a large bowl. Incorporate white sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest. Stir thoroughly until the plums are well-coated. This crucial step ensures the plums will be sweet and thick as they bake.

A collage featuring two photos: the first shows plums in a white ceramic round dish coated with white sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest. The second image displays a large bowl filled with flour, ground almonds, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, ready for mixing.
A collage featuring two photos: the first photo shows a large bowl filled with a mixture of flour, ground almonds, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, highlighting the dry ingredients for the plum crumble. The second photo displays the crumble topping beautifully set on a layer of fresh plums in a ceramic dish, ready to be baked into a delicious dessert.

In a large bowl, mix flour, ground almonds, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Add cold butter cubes and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the plums, covering the fruit completely for that classic crumble look

A collage featuring two photos of plum crumble. The first image showcases the crumble with a golden brown top, while the second image highlights the dessert in a ceramic dish, revealing the juicy plum filling at the bottom with two spoons taken out.
A delicious plum crumble served on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a spoon ready to dig in. The second image shows a spoon lifted with a portion of plum crumble and ice cream, highlighting the vibrant colors and textures of the dessert. Perfect for anyone looking for an easy and tasty treat!

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. The crumble is ready when the topping is golden-brown and the plum juices are bubbling. Allow the crumble to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm, and for a special touch, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions

If you need to make adjustments, here are some simple substitutions:

  • Plums: You can substitute the plums with other stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, or apricots. Berries such as blueberries or raspberries also work well.
  • White Sugar: Use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey as an alternative for white sugar.
  • Ground Almonds: Swap with ground hazelnuts, and walnuts, or skip the nuts entirely if you prefer.
  • Brown Sugar: You can replace brown sugar with coconut sugar or granulated white sugar, though the taste will be slightly different.
  • Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can replace cornstarch to thicken the fruit filling.
  • Cinnamon: If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, try nutmeg or allspice.

Variations for this plum crumble recipe

  • Mixed Berry Crumble: Use a combination of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries instead of plums.
  • Apple and Plum Crumble: Add sliced apples to the plums for a fall-inspired twist.
  • Oat Crumble Topping: Replace half the flour with oats for a heartier, more rustic topping.
  • Gluten-Free Plum Crumble: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, and make sure your baking powder is gluten-free.

Pro Tip

When mixing the crumble topping, make sure your butter is very cold. This helps create a crumbly texture as the butter melts in the oven.

Serving Suggestions

Plum crumble is best served warm, either on its own or with a side of:

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Whipped cream
  • Custard
  • Greek yoghurt for a lighter option

Storage Tips

  • In the Fridge: Store leftover plum crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
  • In the Freezer: If you want to make the crumble ahead of time, you can freeze it after baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminium foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven before serving.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen plums?
    Yes, you can use frozen plums. Just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
  • Can I make this crumble vegan?
    Yes, use vegan butter and a plant-based milk substitute if needed. Ensure the sugar is vegan-friendly as well.
  • Do I need to peel the plums?
    No, there’s no need to peel the plums. Their skin softens during baking and adds a nice texture.

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Plum Crumble Recipe – Watch How To Make It

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Plum Crumble Recipe: Simple, Delicious, and Easy to Make on a plate

Plum Crumble Recipe: Simple, Delicious, and Easy to Make

Claudia
This simple plum crumble combines fresh, juicy plums with a buttery crumble topping. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for any dessert occasion.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Set Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 285 kcal

Equipment

  • 9-inch (23 cm) baking dish
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Knife and Cutting Board
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 lb plums 1.15 kg
  • ½ cup white sugar 100g
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the crumble:

  • 1 cup flour 125g
  • ⅓ cup ground almonds 30g
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar 67g
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes 90g

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C). It’s important to allow the oven to fully heat up before placing the crumble inside. This ensures that the plum filling cooks evenly and the crumble topping becomes perfectly golden and crisp.
  • Prepare the Plum Filling: Start by slicing the plums into wedges, and discarding the pits. Place the sliced plums into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup (100g) of white sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Mix everything to get the plums evenly coated. The cornstarch helps to thicken the plum juices as they bake, while the lemon zest adds a subtle hint of citrus. Once the mixture is combined, transfer the plums to a 9-inch (23 cm) baking dish, spreading them out evenly across the bottom.
  • Make the Crumble Topping: In another large mixing bowl, add 1 cup (125g) of flour, 1/3 cup (30g) of ground almonds, 1/3 cup (67g) of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix the dry ingredients together. Then, add 6 tablespoons (90g) of cold butter, cut into cubes. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Be sure to work quickly so the butter remains cold, which will help create a crumbly texture.
  • Assemble the Crumble: Once the crumble topping is ready, evenly sprinkle it over the plum mixture in the baking dish. Make sure the plums are fully covered with the crumble topping to ensure an even bake and a satisfying contrast between the soft fruit and crispy topping.
  • Bake the Crumble: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Keep an eye on the crumble after 25 minutes. The dessert is done when the topping is golden brown and the plum filling is bubbling up at the edges. If needed, rotate the dish halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
  • Let it Cool and Serve: Once the crumble is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the fruit filling set slightly, making it easier to serve. For an indulgent treat, serve the warm plum crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Video

Notes

  1. Choose ripe plums: Ripe plums add natural sweetness and the best texture for the filling.
  2. Adjust sweetness: If your plums are tart, you may need to add a bit more sugar to the filling.
  3. Crumb topping: Make sure the butter is cold when mixing the crumble topping to get a crispy, golden texture.
  4. Baking time: Watch closely after 25 minutes. The crumble is done when the top is golden-brown and the plum juices are bubbling.
  5. Cool slightly before serving: This allows the juices to thicken, making the crumble easier to serve.
  6. Serving suggestion: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra touch. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal
Keyword plum crumble, plum recipe, plums
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A collage featuring two images: one with a spoon lifting a portion of dessert and ice cream, showcasing the vibrant colors and textures, and the second image showing the dessert in a white ceramic dish with two portions taken out, revealing the juicy plums and the crumble's center.

Hey! I’m Claudia. Originally from Romania and now in the UK, I’m all about making tasty food with everyday ingredients. Just cook smart and get creative—let’s have some fun in the kitchen!