Plum Perfection

Recipes Made Easy has gathered some of the best plum recipes on the net. From cakes to desserts. Jams to chutneys drinks and savoury recipes. This recipe collection is plum perfect.

Low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals, plums are juicy  medium sized  stone fruits which are  available all year round. However, the UK season is short and sweet running from August to September  There are many varieties ranging from sweet to tart in flavour. The most popular variety has a dark, purple-red skin with yellow flesh inside, both of which are edible. But you can also find plums that are red, yellow or green and they can be round or oval in shape. All varieties have a stone in the centre of the fruit that is not edible.

Choose plums that feel heavy.  The skins should give slightly when pressed. If the fruit is too soft and squishy they are  probably overripe. Look out blemishes or bruises. 

To prepare plums, cut the plums in half  up to the stone following the lines of the dimple (crease) in the skin. Gently hold each half and gently twist apart. Remove the stone with the tip of the knife. Slice or chop as required.

To freeze plums, cut them in half and remove the stones. Open freeze on a tray and once frozen transfer to a plastic bag or freezer container. Seal and label. Plums will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Come Autumn I could be accused of being a little plum obsessed especially when my plum tree has had a bumper crop. Much as I adore eating fresh plums there are only so many a girl can eat, and I find myself looking for different ways to use plums, not wanting any to go to waste. This year I asked my blogging friends to share their favourite plum recipes so I need never be short of ideas again.

Plum Cakes

Interestingly most of the plum cakes I found were traybakes Perhaps because this humble fruit lends itself so well to simple baking. There are still lots of variations in textures and styles but it leaves me with an idea for my next plum recipe - a more glamorous plum cake.

Plum and Almond Traybake

My plum and almond traybake has a dense, moist, almond cake topped with tangy plums. It’s really easy to make too. It is amazing served warm with a little cream for a dessert and freezes well.
Recipe: Only Crumbs Remain

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German Plum Cake

This plum cake is a German classic for “kaffee und kuchen” (coffee and cake) time. Its easy to make and really lets the juicy, sweet-tart plum flavour shine.
Recipe: Caroline's Cooking

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Plum Upside Down Cake

In this recipe, the plums have been given the upside-down treatment to produce a delicious cake perfect for dessert served with whipped cream.
Recipe: Platter Talk

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Vegan Plum Cake

For those catering for a vegan diet, this could be just what you need. Light fluffy sponge topped with lots of juicy plums. Cooked in a shallow tin it is quick to bake.
Recipe: Vegan on Board

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Plum Flapjacks

Incorporating plums into a sweet chewy flapjack sounds delicious. Perfect for lunchboxes or for a grab and go breakfast.
Recipe: Jam and Clotted Cream

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Plum Amaretti Crumble Cake

A buttery, moist almond sponge topped with juicy, ruby red plums and a crunchy amaretti crumble, this cake is equally good with a cup of tea or as an easy pudding with lashings of custard.

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Plum Cake with Plum Jam Icing

There are lots of plum cakes but not many have the addition of a plum flavoured icing. This one is made with plum jam. Such a great idea.
Recipe: Home Spun Seasonal Living

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Plum Desserts

Plums are delicious in desserts. From simple stewed plums and creamy desserts to fancy tarts they make great autumnal puddings. And autumn is when crumbles first start to make an appearance again in my household, so a plum crumble is just ideal.

Easy Plum and Pear Crumble

Plums and pears cooked under a classic crumble topping with the additon of ground almonds .

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Stewed Plums

Perhaps the most basic of plum desserts. The name doesn't do these delicious stewed plum justice. Perfect served on their own, or with ice cream, granola, yogurt and more.
Recipe: Veggie Desserts

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Easy Plum Clafoutis

Clafoutis is such an easy and classic French Dessert. In this version, fresh plums are baked in a thick custard-like batter. Ready to bake in 10 minutes, it makes a great quick dessert.
Recipe: A Baking Journey

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Plum Dumplings

Plum Dumplings are a popular dessert across Eastern Europe. They are made with fresh ripe plums coated in a mashed potato dough and tossed into sweetened cinnamon breadcrumbs.
Recipe: My Gorgeous Recipes

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Roasted Plum Parfait

Doesn’t roasted plum parfait sound delicious? Well, you wouldn’t be far wrong. Its a light and fresh tasting summer dessert made with layers of roasted plums and a mixture of yoghurt, cream and lemon curd.
Recipe: Tin and Thyme

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Plum and Almond Galette

I love the look of this rustic tart filled with a frangipane paste and topped with fresh plums. Serve topped with vanilla ice cream or cream.
Recipe: Lost in Food

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Mini Plum Tartlets

Check out these Mini Plum Tartlets from Its Not Complicated. Crisp and flaky puff pastry, a delicious cream cheese filling and slices of plum. Perfect with a cup of coffee!
Recipe: It's Not Complicated.

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Plum and Vanilla Custard Tart

This vanilla custard plum tart makes the most delicious dessert. The tart is filled with a creamy vanilla pastry cream and topped with fresh plums.
Recipe: A Baking Journey

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Plum jams and preserves

Plums are ideal for making jams and preserves. They need never be dull I am amazed at how many tasty variations there are out there.

Even my own two favourite jams: Italian plum jam and Roasted plum jam use just plums and sugar and yet taste totally different and totally delicious. The hardest decision is going to be deciding which preserve to make.

Italian Plum Jam

I published the recipe for this jam on my baking blog because as a smooth jam with a rich plummy flavour, I think it is perfect as a cake filling. An old fashioned preserve that keeps really well.
Recipe: Only Crumbs Remain

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Roasted Plum Jam

Roasting the plum intensifies the flavour. The jam is deliciously plummy with pieces of candied plum peel in the jam.

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Plum and apple chutney

A delicious chutney that pairs well with white meats. It is also great with cheese.

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Plum and Apple Jam

The flavours of autumn are in this gorgeous coloured jam. The apple gives it a lovely delicate flavour.
Recipe: Fab Food 4 all

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Plum Jam with Chocolate

I am intrigued by this unusual Plum Jam with Chocolate which could make a nice addition to your breakfast spread. Perfect on toast, with pancakes, or as a topping for your porridge.
Recipe: Jo's Kitchen Larder

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Plum and Ginger Chutney

This recipe from a good friend of mine is simultaneously sweet, sharp, and fruity. This chutney works just as well with a curry as a home-grown alternative to mango chutney as it does with cheese or cold cuts.
Recipe: Mrs Portly's Kitchen

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Plum and lime fruit cheese

Forget Membrillo and make your own fruit cheese with plums instead. A perfect addition to your cheeseboard or antipasti platter. Richer and firmer than jam, it slices just like cheese.
Recipe: Larder Love

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Savoury Plum Recipes

Plums can lend themselves well to savoury dishes too. I've at times served pork with a sharp plum sauce made by stewing plums until soft and mushy and then blitzing them. Its an unusual alternative to apple sauce.

Plums, of course, also go very well with duck and plum sauce is a classic savoury Chinese sauce.

Duck Stir-fry with Fresh Plums and Peanuts

Duck and plums are a classic combination. This super simple and quick duck stir fry plays with classic Chinese takeaway flavours in a stupidly quick dinner!
Recipe: Krumpli

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Savoury Plum Sauce

This savoury plum sauce is perfect for DIY Chinese food, and lasts for years in the freezer - if you manage to keep it that long! Just make, freeze, and use as needed.
Recipe: Keeper of the Kitchen

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A Little Plum Tipple

Plum Gin

Did someone mention gin? I love fruit flavoured gin, and its easy to make just requiring plums, sugar and gin and time!
Recipe: Taste Botanical

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