Easy Plum Crumble Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Plum Crumble Bars combine juicy spiced plums with a buttery oat crumble for a delicious treat. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, they offer a lovely balance of tart and sweet flavors with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

• 8 medium plums, cut into chunks
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• 2 ½ cups jumbo rolled oats
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the spiced plums by combining the plums, ½ cup light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and star anise in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the plums are soft and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and let cool, then discard the star anise.
2. Step 2: Make the oat crumble by placing rolled oats, all-purpose flour, butter, and 1 cup light brown sugar in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs that can be pressed together into small balls.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: Press three-quarters of the oat crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the cooled plum jam evenly over this layer, then sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly on top.
5. Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the jam bubbles at the edges and the top turns golden brown. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a little lemon zest to the plum mixture before cooking.
• Substitute the plums with other stone fruits like peaches or cherries for a different twist.
• Use cold butter for the crumble to achieve a crispier texture.
• If you don’t have a food processor, rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers until crumbly.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also keep well refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave to soften before serving if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen plums for this recipe?

Yes, frozen plums can be used but thaw and drain them first to reduce excess moisture. This helps prevent the bars from becoming too soggy.

What if I don’t have star anise?

If you don’t have star anise, you can omit it or substitute with a pinch of ground fennel or additional cinnamon to keep similar warm flavors.

Easy Plum Crumble Bars Recipe

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These Easy Plum Crumble Bars feature a luscious spiced plum jam layered between a buttery oat crumble crust and topping, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and warmly spiced flavors. With a simple preparation and no-fuss baking method, these bars are a delightful seasonal treat ideal for dessert, snack, or breakfast accompaniment.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (cut into 4x4 squares) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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For the Spiced Plums:

• 8 medium plums, cut into chunks
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 star anise

For the Oat Crumble:

• 2 ½ cups jumbo rolled oats
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spiced Plums: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the plum chunks, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and star anise. Cook the mixture while stirring occasionally until the plums soften and begin to lose their shape, thickening to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and let cool completely, then discard the star anise.
2. Make the Oat Crumble: Add the jumbo rolled oats, all-purpose flour, cubed butter, and light brown sugar into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture forms coarse crumbs that can be pressed together to form small balls, indicating the right crumbly texture.
3. Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) square metal baking pan with parchment paper. Firmly press about ¾ of the oat crumble mixture into the bottom of the pan to form an even crust. Spread the cooled spiced plum jam evenly over the pressed oat base. Sprinkle the remaining oat crumble mixture evenly over the plum layer as a topping. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the jam bubbles at the edges and the top is golden brown.
4. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This cooling process helps the bars set firmly, making it easier to cut them into neat squares for serving.

Notes

• Ensure the spiced plum mixture is fully cooled before layering to prevent the oat crumble from becoming soggy.
• You can substitute regular brown sugar for light brown sugar if needed, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
• Use jumbo rolled oats for the best texture in the crumble; quick oats will result in a softer topping.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• To add more flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the plum mixture while cooking.

Keywords: plum crumble bars, spiced plum bars, oat crumble dessert, easy plum dessert, baked fruit bars, seasonal fruit bars, autumn desserts