Spiced Plum Crumble

When it comes to desserts that wrap you in a warm embrace of comfort, spiced plum crumble is hard to beat. This recipe combines juicy, tart plums with warm spices and a buttery crumble topping, making it the ideal treat for a family dinner or a cosy evening in. Best of all, it’s simple to make and highlights the natural sweetness of seasonal fruit.

Plums are the unsung heroes of the fruit world. Their natural tartness is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the crumble topping, and when combined with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, they become a dessert dream. The crumble itself is an irresistible mix of crunchy, buttery goodness that pairs beautifully with the softness of the baked fruit.

Practical Tips & Recipe Notes!

Below are some helpful recommendations:

• Alternative to Plums: Consider substituting plums with apples, pears, blueberries, or even apricots.
• Experiment with Sweeteners: Explore options like coconut sugar or light brown sugar.
• Serving Suggestion: Enjoy any remaining crumble with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream. To warm it up, you can also reheat the dish in the oven at 180 °C for 10 minutes.
• Storage Tips: Keep the dish in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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📖 Recipe

Ingredients

• 750g plums
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 200g plain flour
• 80g ground almonds
• 120g light muscovado sugar
• 220g cold butter (cubed)
• a pinch of sea salt 
• water

Instructions

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180°C.
2. Cut the plums in half and remove the stones.
3. Combine the fruit, vanilla, and 1 tbsp of water.
4. Transfer the filling to a baking dish.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, ground almond, sugar, and spices.
6. Add the butter to the flour mixture.
7. Use your fingertips to rub the mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
8. The crumbs can vary in size, which will give a delightful texture to your crumble.
9. Sprinkle the crumble over the fruit in a baking dish.
10. Bake for approximately 45–50 minutes until the crumble is deep golden brown and the fruit is bubbling through the crust.
11. You can enjoy it warm straight from the oven or at room temperature.

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Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about how the spices mingle with the natural juices of the plums, creating a syrupy filling that’s perfectly offset by the crunchy topping. This spiced plum crumble is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of simple, seasonal ingredients, crafted into something unforgettable.

Happy baking! 👩🏻‍🍳