Zesty Plum Crumble Recipe: Ina Garten’s Sweet Sensation

Summer’s bounty of ripe plums creates the perfect backdrop for this delectable Ina Garten plum crumble that sings with rustic charm.

Juicy, sweet plums nestled beneath a golden, buttery topping promise a dessert that beckons with irresistible comfort.

The recipe captures the essence of seasonal simplicity, blending traditional baking techniques with elegant flavor.

Warm spices mingle with the fruit’s natural sweetness, promising a dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Each spoonful delivers a delightful contrast between tender, caramelized plums and crisp, crumbly topping.

Rich, buttery notes dance alongside the fruit’s bright tartness, creating a symphony of flavors.

You’ll love how easily this dessert comes together, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that celebrates summer’s most delicious fruit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 6

Plum Crumble by Ina Garten – Ingredient List

• Plums: Juicy summer fruits with a sweet-tart punch, choose ripe but firm plums without bruises for the best texture and flavor.
• Lemon: Bright citrus that adds zingy freshness and helps balance the sweetness of the plums while preventing browning.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a tender, crispy base for the crumble with delightful golden-brown texture.
• Almond Flour: Adds nutty depth and rich, subtle sweetness to complement the fruit's natural flavors.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the topping caramelize to a beautiful golden color.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy richness and helps bind the crumble mixture for perfect crispiness.

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that enhances the plums' natural sweetness with a cozy flavor.
• Allspice: Adds complex, slightly peppery undertones that deepen the dessert's overall taste profile.
• Ground Ginger: Introduces a subtle, spicy warmth that complements the fruity base.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the fruit juices, preventing a watery filling and creating a luscious consistency.

Kitchen Tools for Ina Garten Plum Crumble Recipe

• Baking Dish: Large, rectangular ceramic or glass dish for baking the crumble.
• Mixing Bowls: Medium-sized bowls for combining dry ingredients and preparing fruit mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Knife: Sharp kitchen knife for halving and dicing plums.
• Grater: Small tool for zesting lemon.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For mixing ingredients and spreading crumble topping.
• Oven: Essential for baking the crumble at 375F/190C.

How to Put Together Ina Garten Plum Crumble

• Preheating The Oven

Warm up your kitchen’s magical baking center to create the perfect cozy environment for this delightful dessert.

• Crumble Mixture

Blend the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, creating a soft, sandy texture that will transform into a golden, crispy topping.

• Butter Incorporation

Gently work cold butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips, creating delicate, uneven crumbs that promise a wonderfully textured result.

• Plum Preparation

Slice the juicy plums into bite-sized pieces, removing their centers and releasing their sweet, vibrant essence.

• Flavor Enhancers

Sprinkle a blend of warm spices and a touch of cornstarch over the plums, ensuring each piece is lovingly coated with a magical flavor symphony.

• Citrus Brightness

Zest and squeeze fresh lemon over the fruit, adding a bright, tangy note that will make the flavors sing.

• Crumble Topping

Scatter the buttery crumb mixture over the plums, creating a landscape of delicious peaks and valleys.

• Baking Magic

Slide the dish into the oven, allowing the heat to transform the ingredients into a bubbling, golden masterpiece that promises pure comfort.

• Serving Delight

Let the crumble rest briefly, then serve warm alongside a cool, creamy companion like vanilla ice cream or soft whipped cream.

Make Changes to Ina Garten Plum Crumble Your Way

• Swap plums with seasonal fruits like peaches, apricots, or berries for a delightful twist.
• Chill butter before mixing to create a flakier, more crisp topping that melts in your mouth.
• Experiment with cardamom, nutmeg, or star anise to add depth and complexity to the traditional spice blend.
• Prep the crumble in advance and reheat gently before serving for a stress-free dessert that tastes freshly baked.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Plum Crumble

• Scoop Up Creamy Companions: Serve this warm plum crumble with a generous dollop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, smooth scoop melt slightly against the hot, crumbly dessert.
• Pair with Luxurious Cream: Drizzle rich, velvety heavy cream or tangy creme fraiche over the top, creating a delightful contrast between the warm, spiced fruit and cool, silky topping.
• Breakfast Transformation: Transform leftover crumble into a morning treat by adding a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of toasted almonds for extra crunch and protein.
• Garnish with Fresh Zest: Finish the dessert with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh mint leaves to add a pop of color and a refreshing herbal note.

Storing Ina Garten Plum Crumble the Right Way

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store any leftover plum crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cool environment helps maintain the dessert's texture and prevents bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled crumble tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. This method keeps the dessert fresh and ready for a quick sweet treat.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the refrigerated or thawed crumble in a preheated oven at 350F/175C for 10-15 minutes. This approach restores the crispy topping and brings out the fruit's vibrant flavors.
• Serve Perfectly Chilled or Warm: Enjoy the plum crumble at room temperature or slightly warm. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.

Rustic Ina Garten Plum Crumble Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s plum crumble emerges as a delightful dessert showcasing seasonal stone fruits. Sweet-tart plums mingle with a buttery, crumbly topping, creating a rustic masterpiece that invites warm spoonfuls of comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) plums
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (28 g) almond flour
• 3 tbsps (42 g) unsalted butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
• 3 tbsps brown sugar
• 2 tbsps sugar
• ½ lemon zest
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack midway and preheat to 375°F (190°C), creating optimal baking conditions for a perfectly textured dessert.
2. Crumble Construction: Blend all-purpose flour, almond flour, and granulated sugar, then integrate cold butter cubes using fingertips to craft a rustic, sandy-textured topping.
3. Fruit Foundation: Halve and dice plums, removing stones, then arrange evenly in a ceramic baking dish, ensuring uniform fruit distribution.
4. Seasoning Layer: Dust plums with white sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, and cornstarch, thoroughly coating to prevent excessive liquid and enhance flavor complexity.
5. Citrus Accent: Grate fresh lemon zest directly over plums and squeeze its juice, stirring to infuse bright, tangy undertones throughout the fruit mixture.
6. Topping Application: Evenly spread the crumbly mixture across the plum layer, creating complete coverage that will transform into a golden, crisp crust during baking.
7. Baking Process: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake 40-45 minutes, monitoring until the topping achieves a rich golden-brown hue and fruit juices bubble enticingly.
8. Resting and Serving: Allow the crumble to settle for 10-15 minutes post-baking, then present warm with a luxurious accompaniment of whipped cream, creme fraiche, or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Butter Cutting Technique: Use cold butter and work quickly with fingertips to create a sandy, crumbly texture without warming the butter, which ensures a flaky, crisp topping.
• Fruit Preparation Pro Tip: Slice plums uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dessert.
• Cornstarch Magic: Sprinkle cornstarch over plums to absorb excess moisture, preventing a runny filling and maintaining a perfect fruit consistency.
• Serving Suggestion: Let the crumble rest briefly after baking to allow juices to set, creating a more structured and appetizing dessert that won’t fall apart when served.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg