The delightful blend of a sweet and tangy plum filling, nestled between a tender, buttery crumb base and a golden, crunchy topping, makes these Plum Crumb Bars an absolute masterpiece for any occasion. They are, quite simply, plum perfect!
Embrace the Sweetness of Summer with Homemade Plum Crumb Bars
Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of plums and crumbs, and trust me, your taste buds are in for an extraordinary experience! While I’ve always enjoyed eating fresh plums, there’s a special magic that happens when these vibrant fruits are baked. The natural sweetness of plums intensifies and caramelizes, transforming into an irresistible, jam-like filling that pairs exquisitely with a buttery, crumbly crust. These Plum Crumb Bars are not just a dessert; they’re a celebration of seasonal fruit, offering a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite.
Why Plum Crumb Bars are a Must-Try Dessert
Imagine a dessert that combines the best of a pie, a crisp, and a cookie bar all in one. That’s precisely what you get with these incredible plum crumb bars. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious treat:
- The Gooey Plum Filling: Fresh plums, when baked, release their juices and become wonderfully tender and sweet. The slight tartness of the plums balances the richness of the crust, creating a complex flavor profile that is both refreshing and comforting.
- The Chewy Crumb Base: A thick, buttery base made with oats and brown sugar provides a delightful chewiness and a sturdy foundation for the fruit layer. It’s robust enough to hold the juicy filling without becoming soggy.
- The Crunchy Crumb Topping: The same delicious crumb mixture, sprinkled generously over the plums, bakes into a golden, crunchy topping. This contrast in texture with the soft filling and chewy base is what truly elevates these bars.
They are incredibly versatile, perfect for a cozy family dessert, a vibrant addition to a potluck, or a delightful treat for an afternoon tea.
The Magic of Baking with Plums
Plums are often overlooked in the baking world, overshadowed by apples or berries. However, baking truly unlocks their hidden potential. The heat of the oven causes the plums to soften, their sugars to caramelize, and their unique flavor to become more concentrated and intense. This process yields a filling that is jammy and deeply flavorful, with a beautiful ruby-red hue that is as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate. The natural pectin in plums also helps the filling thicken beautifully, creating that perfect gooey consistency without needing excessive thickeners.
Selecting the Perfect Plums for Your Bars
The success of your Plum Crumb Bars begins with choosing the right plums. Look for plums that are ripe but still firm. They should have a vibrant color (depending on the variety) and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Avoid plums that are overly soft, bruised, or have wrinkly skin, as these might be overripe and could make your filling too watery. While many plum varieties work well, Italian Prune Plums or Red Plums are excellent choices for their balanced sweetness and tartness, and they hold their shape relatively well during baking. You’ll need about 6-8 medium plums to get the required 4 cups of thinly sliced fruit.
Enjoy these delightful bars, baked with love!
xoxo,
Print Recipe
Perfect Plum Crumb Bars: A Seasonal Delight
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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 generous servings
Category: Dessert, Fruit Bar, Baking
Recipe Description
Indulge in the heavenly combination of sweet and tart plums baked into a luscious, gooey filling, perfectly nestled between a delightfully chewy oat and brown sugar crust and a golden, crunchy crumb topping. These Plum Crumb Bars are an irresistible seasonal treat, ideal for any occasion. They offer a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will make them a new favorite in your dessert repertoire. Easy to prepare and utterly delicious!
Ingredients for Plum Crumb Bars
For the Plum Filling:
- 4 cups thinly sliced pitted plums (approx. 6–8″>8 medium plums, ripe but firm)
- 3 tablespoons Wondra® quick-mixing flour (or substitute with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour + 1 tablespoon cornstarch)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1.5 tablespoons, to brighten the plum flavor)
For the Crumb Base and Topping:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1–1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
- 1–1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions for Plum Crumb Bars
- Prepare your baking dish: Preheat your oven to a precise 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring it overhangs on the sides to create “handles.” This will make it much easier to lift the cooled bars out of the pan. Lightly grease the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray to prevent any sticking.
- Prepare the plum filling: In a medium-sized bowl, gently toss the thinly sliced and pitted plums with the Wondra flour. The Wondra flour (or your substitute) acts as a thickening agent, preventing the plum filling from becoming too watery. Ensure the plums are evenly coated. Next, squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and stir again until everything is well combined. The lemon juice not only brightens the plum flavor but also helps to prevent browning. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the crumb mixture.
- Create the crumb mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the crumb: all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, packed dark brown sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Make sure these are thoroughly combined. Now, add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or even your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized butter pieces still visible. This is crucial for achieving that desired crumbly texture. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can lead to a tough crust.
- Assemble the bars: Measure out and set aside about 1-1/2 cups of the crumb mixture; this will be used for your topping. Take the remaining crumb mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Use the bottom of a glass or your hands to ensure a compact and uniform base. Once the base is ready, arrange the prepared plum mixture evenly over the top of the crust. Finally, sprinkle the reserved 1-1/2 cups of crumb mixture over the plums, creating a delicious, textured topping.
- Bake to golden perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the crumb topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the plum filling is bubbling gently around the edges. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. It’s essential to let the bars cool for at least 30 minutes, or even longer, before attempting to remove them from the baking dish and cut them into squares. This cooling time allows the plum filling to set properly, preventing a messy outcome. For best results, allow them to cool completely to room temperature before slicing for perfectly clean cuts.
- Storage notes: Store any leftover Plum Crumb Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They taste wonderful chilled, or you can gently warm them up before serving.
Tips for Perfect Plum Crumb Bars Every Time
- Cold Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces. This prevents it from melting too quickly when incorporated into the flour mixture, leading to a flakier, tender crust and topping.
- Don’t Overwork the Crumb: Overmixing the crumb mixture can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, bread-like texture rather than a tender, crumbly one. Mix just until combined and coarse crumbs form.
- Evenly Distribute the Plums: Spreading the plums evenly ensures that every bite has a good balance of fruit and crust, and also promotes even baking.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue, especially with crumb bars! While it’s tempting to dig in right away, allowing the bars to cool completely helps the plum filling set properly and prevents the bars from crumbling when sliced. For neat squares, consider chilling them briefly after the initial cooling.
- Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness of plums can vary. If your plums are very tart, you might want to add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar to the plum filling mixture, tasting as you go.
Serving Suggestions for Your Plum Crumb Bars
These delightful Plum Crumb Bars are fantastic on their own, but a few simple additions can elevate them to an even more indulgent dessert:
- Warm with Ice Cream: Serve a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The melting ice cream and warm, gooey plums are a match made in heaven.
- A Dollop of Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a touch of lightness and creaminess that complements the fruit and crumb beautifully.
- Breakfast or Brunch Treat: Don’t reserve these just for dessert! A plum crumb bar makes a wonderful sweet treat with your morning coffee or as part of a brunch spread.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet elegant finish, dust the cooled bars lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Creative Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic Plum Crumb Bars, feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:
- Mixed Fruit Bars: Combine plums with other seasonal fruits like blackberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches for a multi-layered flavor experience.
- Nutty Crumb Topping: Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor.
- Spice it Up: Enhance the warm spices by adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the crumb mixture for a more complex aroma and taste.
- Citrus Zest: Grate a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest into the crumb mixture for an added bright, zesty note that beautifully complements the plums.
- Almond Extract: Replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a subtle, sophisticated almond flavor that pairs wonderfully with stone fruits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plum Crumb Bars
- Can I use frozen plums?
- Yes, you can! If using frozen plums, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before tossing them with the flour and lemon juice. This prevents the filling from becoming too watery. You might also add an extra tablespoon of Wondra flour or cornstarch to compensate for the added moisture.
- What if I don’t have Wondra flour?
- Wondra flour is a quick-mixing, low-protein flour that’s excellent for thickening sauces and fruit fillings without clumps. If you don’t have it, a good substitute for the plum filling is 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour combined with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. This combination will provide a similar thickening power.
- How do I prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy?
- Using cold butter for the crust and not overworking the dough helps create a crispier base. Also, ensuring the plums are tossed with flour to thicken their juices before baking is crucial. Finally, allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting allows the filling to set and prevents moisture from seeping into the bottom crust.
- Can I make these Plum Crumb Bars gluten-free?
- To make these gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- How long do Plum Crumb Bars last?
- When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these plum crumb bars will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
- Can I freeze Plum Crumb Bars?
- Absolutely! Once completely cooled, cut the bars into individual squares. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave or oven.