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Easy Plum Crumble Bars Recipe

4.4 from 59 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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