Description
Ina Garten’s plum crumble brings rustic French countryside charm to dessert tables with juicy local plums nestled under a golden, buttery oat topping. Sweet-tart fruit mingles with crisp crumble, creating a simple yet elegant finale you’ll want to savor slowly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb plums
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
Sweeteners:
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ lemon zest
Spices and Extras:
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 375°F (190°C), ensuring even temperature distribution.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, almond flour, and granulated sugar, creating a uniform dry base.
- Cut cold butter into small cubes and gently incorporate into the flour mixture, using fingertips to create a textured, crumbly consistency.
- Carefully slice plums in half, removing the central stone, then chop into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer the diced plums into a ceramic or glass baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Sprinkle a mixture of white sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, and cornstarch over the plums, thoroughly coating each piece to prevent excess liquid.
- Zest a fresh lemon directly over the plum mixture, then squeeze its juice, stirring to distribute the bright, citrusy notes evenly.
- Distribute the crumble topping across the plum layer, creating a complete coverage that will transform into a golden, crisp surface.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown topping and bubbling fruit juices.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling the filling to set and cool slightly.
- Serve warm, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream, a spoonful of creme fraiche, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Plum Selection Matters: Opt for deeply colored, slightly soft plums that yield gently when pressed, ensuring peak ripeness and intense flavor.
- Topping Texture Tricks: Combine rolled oats with chopped almonds or pecans to create a crunchy, multilayered crumble with rich nutty undertones.
- Acidity Balance: A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the plums’ natural sweetness and prevents excessive sugary notes.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a luxurious dessert experience.
- Storage Wisdom: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to three days, gently reheating in the oven to restore the topping’s delightful crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg