Recipe for Plum Crumble | Easy Small Batch Dessert
This easy recipe for plum crumble is one of those simple desserts that feels especially good once plum season starts. Juicy baked plums, cinnamon, and a golden crumble topping come together in a warm little dessert made for just two servings.
What I especially love about this recipe is that you really do not need much. A few fresh plums and a handful of basic pantry ingredients are enough to make it. And because this is a small batch plum crumble, you do not have to make an entire baking dish when you are only craving something sweet after dinner.
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The plums become soft and juicy underneath while the crumble on top gives you that contrast of warm fruit and slightly crisp crumbs. Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt on top while it is still warm and you have one of my favorite simple fall desserts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Plum Crumble
- Perfect for two: This recipe makes two servings instead of a large family-size crumble.
- Simple ingredients: You only need plums and a few basic ingredients for the crumble topping.
- Warm and cozy: Cinnamon, brown sugar, and baked plums make this especially good for late summer and fall.
- Easy to prepare: There is no complicated dough or pastry to make.
- Easy to serve: Enjoy it warm on its own or add Greek yogurt for a creamy contrast.
- Easy to customize: Butter, margarine, low-fat butter, or nut butter can be used for the crumble depending on what you have at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a short list of ingredients for this easy plum crumble. The exact amounts are included in the recipe card below.
- Plums: I use eight small plums for two servings. Remove the stones and cut the plums into smaller pieces before baking.
- Whole wheat flour: This forms the base of the simple crumble topping.
- Butter, margarine, low-fat butter, or nut butter: Use whichever option you prefer. The fat helps bring the flour together into little crumble pieces.
- Maple syrup: Adds a little sweetness to the topping and helps the mixture come together.
- Brown sugar: You only need a small amount for a little extra caramel-like sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon and warm plums are such a simple combination, especially for a cozy fall dessert.
- Salt: Just a small pinch helps balance the sweetness.
If you are actually looking for a crumble topping that you can prepare separately and use for yogurt bowls, fruit, or breakfast, try my easy crumble recipe with oats. It is made with oats and almonds and works especially well when you want something extra crunchy.
Easy Recipe for Plum Crumble
Ingredients
- 8 small plums
- 1 tbsp butter (margarine, low-fat butter, or nut butter)
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Method
- Wash the plums, remove the stones, and cut them into small pieces.
- Add the prepared plums to a small oven-safe baking dish and spread them into an even layer.
- Add the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a small bowl.
- Add the butter, margarine, low-fat butter, or nut butter and maple syrup.
- Mix everything together until small crumble pieces start to form. Keep a few larger pieces instead of mixing the topping completely smooth.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the plums.
- Bake at 320°F (160°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the crumble is lightly golden and the plums underneath are soft and warm.
- Let the plum crumble cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Calories: 150 kcal
Carbohydrates: 31 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 4 g Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the size of the plums and whether you use butter, low-fat butter, margarine, or nut butter.
How to Make Plum Crumble
One of the best things about a fruit crumble is that you do not have to be very precise with the way it looks. No rolling dough, no perfectly shaped crust, and definitely no decorating needed.
1. Prepare the Plums
Start by washing the plums and removing the stones. Cut them into smaller pieces and place them in your baking dish.
Try to spread the fruit out relatively evenly so you get warm plums underneath every spoonful of crumble.
2. Make the Crumble Topping
Add the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to a small bowl.
Then add your butter or nut butter and the maple syrup. Mix everything until little crumbs begin to form.
Do not keep mixing until you have a smooth dough. Those uneven little pieces are exactly what you want in a crumble because they create more texture once baked.
3. Add the Crumble to the Plums
Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the prepared plums. I like leaving a few slightly larger pieces instead of making all of the crumbs exactly the same size.
4. Bake Until Golden
Bake the crumble until the fruit underneath has softened and released some of its juices and the topping looks lightly golden.
Let it sit for a few minutes after baking before digging in. The plums underneath will be very hot straight from the oven.
What Makes a Good Plum Crumble?
For me, a good plum crumble is all about the contrast between the two layers.
The fruit underneath should be soft, warm, and juicy, while the topping should still have enough texture that it does not simply disappear into the fruit.
That is also why I would not overmix the crumble mixture. Keeping those slightly uneven crumbs gives you a much nicer texture once everything is baked together.
Plums work especially well because they naturally become soft and juicy as they bake. Their slightly tart flavor also balances the sweetness of the crumble instead of making the whole dessert overly sweet.
Can I Use Different Types of Plums?
Yes. You can make this recipe with whichever fresh plums you have available.
The main thing that can change is the sweetness. Some plums are naturally much sweeter while others have a more tart flavor, especially when they are not completely ripe yet.
If your plums are very ripe and sweet, the small amount of added sweetener in this recipe may already be plenty. If they are more tart, serving the finished crumble with creamy Greek yogurt can create a really nice balance.
How to Serve Plum Crumble
This plum crumble is best served slightly warm. You can absolutely eat it on its own, but I especially like adding something creamy on top.
A spoonful of Greek yogurt is my usual choice. The cold yogurt with the warm cinnamon plums and crumble is such a good combination and keeps the dessert simple.
You could also use vanilla yogurt or another creamy topping you already have at home.
Can I Prepare Plum Crumble Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the individual parts ahead if you want to save a little time later.
Prepare the plums and crumble mixture separately, keep them covered in the refrigerator, and assemble the crumble shortly before baking.
I prefer baking it fresh because that gives you the nicest contrast between the juicy fruit and the crumble topping.
How to Store Leftover Plum Crumble
If you have leftovers, let the crumble cool first and then store it covered in the refrigerator.
For the best texture, warm it again before serving rather than eating it straight from the fridge. Keep in mind that the crumble topping naturally becomes softer once it sits on the juicy fruit.
More Easy Fruit and Crumble Recipes
If warm fruit desserts are your thing, here are a few more easy recipes to try next:
- Easy Crumble Recipe with Oats – a crunchy oat crumble that you can make separately and add to yogurt, fruit, or dessert.
- Easy Granola Cluster Recipe – homemade crunchy clusters with oats, almonds, and maple syrup.
- Breakfast Apple Greek Yogurt Bowl – a quick combination of apple, cinnamon, yogurt, and crunchy granola.
- Baked Apple Air Fryer Pocket – warm cinnamon apples wrapped in crispy rice paper with a creamy vanilla filling.
Final Thoughts
If you have a few plums sitting in your kitchen, this recipe for plum crumble is such an easy way to turn them into a warm little dessert.
I especially love that it makes just two portions. You still get everything I want from a crumble – warm juicy fruit, cinnamon, and those little golden crumbs on top – without having an entire baking dish left over afterward.
Serve it while it is still slightly warm, add a spoonful of Greek yogurt if you like, and enjoy.
