Whether baked, stewed, pureed or enjoyed fresh, plums serve as an ideal ingredient for creating desserts. Their natural sweetness eliminates the need for added sugars, while their soft texture seamlessly blends into dessert concoctions. From the comforting warmth of a baked treat to the chilled shock of a sorbet, plums can do it all. Join us on a journey as we explore five plum desserts that cater to diverse dietary needs, including eggless, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients: Fresh plums, oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon.
Instructions: Start by slicing plums and arranging them in a baking dish. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon to make a delicious crumble topping. Sprinkle the mixture over the plums. Dot it with butter. Bake until it turns golden and irresistible.
Variations: If you prefer a gluten-free option you can use almond flour instead of regular flour. For those following a vegan diet, simply swap out the butter for coconut oil.
Why It's Special: This delightful dessert is perfect for cool evenings. The plums offer a balance of sweetness and tanginess while being perfectly complemented by the cinnamon infused crumble on top. Each spoonful brings warmth and joy to your taste buds.
Ingredients: Plums, sugar, lemon juice, water.
Instructions: Blend plums together with sugar, lemon juice and water until smooth to create a puree. Freeze this mixture while occasionally stirring it to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Variations: For those looking for a sugar-free option, you can use stevia or honey as a sweetener.
Why It's Special: Indulge in this sorbet that offers a smooth texture combined with the vibrant flavor of plums — perfect for beating the summer heat. Its zesty notes will leave your taste buds craving more.
Ingredients: Plums, ghee (clarified butter), sugar, cardamom powder, nuts (optional).
Instructions: Cook plum, puree together with ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and cardamom powder over moderate heat until it thickens into a decadent halwa like consistency. Garnish with some nuts.
Variations: To make a vegan version, you can substitute coconut oil for ghee.
Why It's Special: This halwa beautifully combines the flavors of plum with cardamom and rich nuts adding a whimsical touch to an old favourite.
Ingredients: Plums, puff pastry, sugar, butter.
Method: Create caramel by mixing sugar and butter, then arrange slices of plum, on top and cover with pastry. Bake it. Then invert it.
Variations: If you prefer a gluten-free option you can use gluten-free pastry.
Why It's Special: This French classic takes on a new form with the addition of plums. The caramelized plums nestled under a buttery pastry create a masterpiece.
Ingredients: Ground almonds, flour, sugar, eggs, plums.
Method: Beat together sugar and eggs until combined; fold in ground almonds and flour. Finally add plums to the mixture. Bake until the cake rises beautifully and turns brown.
Variations: For an eggless version of this cake, you can use apple sauce or flaxseed meal as substitutes.
Why It's Unique: This cake is a combination of nutty and fruity flavors, where the almonds create a rich backdrop for the juicy plums. It's both simple and sophisticated --- showcasing the versatility of plums.
Whether you desire something comforting, refreshing and cool, with a twist or a classic touch, there's undoubtedly a plum dessert that suits your taste. So, remember whenever you have a basket of these gems you're only one recipe away from crafting something truly remarkable.