Yummy Plum Crisp Crumble

The good news is this delicious Plum Crisp Crumble recipe is vegetarian, nut-free, and egg-free. With some substitutions, it can also be vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.

At the heart of our crisp crumble lies a luscious filling of succulent plums, gently sweetened with a hint of sugar and plumy jam subtly infused with vanilla. As the plums bake, they release their juices, creating a tender and flavorful center that forms the foundation of this lush dessert.

The crumbly topping adds a lovely contrast of textures, with its golden crust tones giving way to buttery notes that melt in the mouth.

Crumble is a popular dessert in many English-speaking countries. We have a few plum trees in our garden, specifically Victoria plum trees. When the plums are ripe at the end of the summer season, our garden soon resembles a carpet of plums and our huskies love it! You can’t beat plums from the garden; they’re easy to grow, sweet, and taste much nicer than store-bought.

What’s To Love?

💕 The crispy, buttery crumble topping adds a rich, contrasting texture to the soft, juicy plums beneath.
💕 Doesn’t require any complex cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 The natural sweetness of plums combined with their slight tartness creates a wonderful balance of flavors.
💕 There’s something inherently comforting about a crumble that takes coziness to another level.
💕 When the cooked plums become tender, almost jam-like, while the crumble topping turns golden brown and crispy, this combination of soft and crunchy adds sheer comfort and enjoyment.
💕 The plum filling becomes juicy and syrupy when baked, providing a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
💕Is a surefire crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
💕 Perfect for entertaining to serve at parties or gatherings.

Have you already tried Plum Crisp Crumble? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Plums — for best results, use ripe plums. 
• Sugar — use golden caster sugar to bind with the plum filling. Avoid using granulated sugar because the granules are more difficult to break down.
• Vanilla Extract — use Nielsen Massey, which is made with real vanilla beans and alcohol. The vanilla is quite potent and adds a beautiful richness to desserts. 
• Plum Jam — we suggest using this plum jam because it has a divine taste and is loaded with plums. Alternatively, make your own using our Sweet Plum Apple Jam.
• Flour — use all-purpose flour.
• Coconut Sugar — use this coconut sugar for the crumble because it adds flavor and a nice chewy texture.
• Oats — use rolled oats.
• Butter — use unsalted or salted butter.
• Baking Powder — helps with crumble fluffiness, but feel free to use whatever brand you have.
• Spices — used Ceylon cinnamon and allspice.
• Salt — we use Himalayan salt; it brings out the flavor and offsets the sweetness.
• Slivered Almonds — use these slivered almonds, also known as sliced or flaked. They are used to top the crumble and add a great crunch.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Flour  — use brown rice flour; it gives a lovely light texture and is gluten-free.
• Vanilla Extract — if you prefer a non-alcohol base, use vanilla flavoring.
• Butter — we tested the crumble with dairy-free butter, and the results were perfect.
• Slivered Almonds — a great alternative is to add extra sweetness with a sprinkle of coconut sugar; it will darken the crumble top.

NOTE: We’ve included cinnamon and allspice in the crumble, which adds a warm and aromatic element. These spices complement the flavors of the plum filling and the sweet topping. If you don’t have allspice on hand, you can use ground nutmeg.

Looking for something slightly different? Apples are plentiful during the summer season, especially if you have your own apple trees. Try combining the plums with apples to make Plum Apple Jam; they’re a perfect combination.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Plum Crisp Crumble with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

Plum Crisp Crumble is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ Each bite of the plum crumble delivers a symphony of flavors and textures. The filling bursts with the plum’s natural sweetness, enhanced by a hint of vanilla, plummy jam, and a touch of sugar to balance any tartness.

▶︎ The base and topping are combined with flour, rolled oats, baking powder, sugar, butter, salt, and spices and rubbed together to create a fine crumble. The center is a masterpiece of lovely, sweet, plummy flavors.

▶︎ Once assembled, the top crumble is sprinkled with slivered almonds to create a crunchy texture. The contrast of crunchy and tender elements creates a harmonious balance that is both comforting and satisfying.

▶︎ When removed from the oven, let it cool slightly before serving with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream or a dollop of Whipped Cream.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Plum Crisp Crumble? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• 21cm Square Dish
• Food Processor or use a bowl – to bind the crumble together.
• Mixing Bowl – to prepare the fruit.
• Chopping Board – to chop the plums.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this food processor for mixing, chopping, grating, whisking, beating, and more. If you own a food processor, then you’d know that they’re a lifesaver for making crumble. It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigerating, and answering readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Plum Crisp Crumble is frequently eaten as a standalone dessert, but it can be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ Crumble can be served as a stand-alone dessert, either cold or hot, or served with your favorite cream. This timeless dessert is also delightful eaten with a dollop of freshly Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream.

▶︎ When served warm, a drizzle of Thick Custard brings on the British tradition and can enhance its richness. We often serve it with custard; it’s one of our favorite go-tos.

▶︎ Don’t know what to have for dinner? A delicious flavorful meal such as our Umami-Rich Lamb Moussaka or a light Tex-Mex Chili Con Carne would pair beautifully.

More Recipes

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⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Plum Crisp Crumble every time.

Your Questions Matter

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For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.