Rustic Plum Crisp Recipe

Ina Garten’s Sweet Plum Crisp Recipe: Summer’s Cozy Delight

Summer’s bounty arrives with a delightful Ina Garten plum crisp that promises pure dessert bliss.

Ripe, juicy plums nestled beneath a golden, buttery crumble create a rustic masterpiece of sweet simplicity.

Each spoonful bursts with seasonal warmth and rich caramelized notes.

The recipe captures the essence of homestyle baking with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

crisp edges and tender fruit meld together in a dessert that feels both elegant and comforting.

Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this crisp turns an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary moment.

You’ll fall in love with every single bite of this irresistible summer treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 315 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Assemble Ina Garten’s Plum Crisp

For The Base:
  • Plums: Sweet summer stone fruit that brings vibrant color and tangy richness to the dessert, choose ripe but firm plums with deep purple or red skin for best flavor.
  • Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of plums and helps create a delightful caramelization during baking, opt for granulated white sugar for consistent sweetness.
For The Crisp Topping:
  • Flour: Provides structure and creates a crumbly texture for the crisp layer, use all-purpose flour for a classic, tender result.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the topping rise and become light and airy, ensuring a delicate crumbly finish.
  • Salt: Balances and brightens the overall sweetness, enhancing the complex flavor profile of the dessert.
  • Egg: Binds the topping ingredients together, creating a rich and cohesive texture.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy topping, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
For Finishing:
  • Sugar: Sprinkled directly on plums to create a glossy, caramelized surface and intensify the fruit's natural sweetness.

Kitchen Tools for Making Plum Crisp the Ina Way

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating the crisp topping.
  • 8×8-inch baking dish: Perfect for preparing and baking the plum dessert.
  • Measuring cups: Needed for accurately measuring flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
  • Whisk or fork: Helps beat the egg and mix ingredients smoothly.
  • Pastry brush or cooking spray: Great for greasing the baking dish to prevent sticking.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for spreading the topping evenly over the plums.
  • Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot baking dishes.

How to Bake Ina Garten’s Plum Crisp at Home

How to Bake Ina Garten’s Plum Crisp at Home
  • Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to create the perfect baking environment for a delightful dessert.

  • Plum Placement

Arrange fresh, juicy plums in a cozy baking dish, sprinkling them with a sweet sugar kiss.

  • Crumbly Topping Creation

Mix together a magical blend of dry ingredients, then introduce a beaten egg to transform the mixture into a heavenly crumble that will dance across the plums.

  • Baking Magic

Let the crisp bake until the top turns a golden-brown treasure, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that promises pure comfort and joy.

Additions and Mix-ins for Plum Crisp Recipes

  • Swap plums with seasonal favorites like peaches, berries, or apricots for a delightful twist on the classic crisp.
  • Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pecans into the crumble mixture for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the fruit layer for warm, aromatic undertones that complement the sweet plums.
  • Top the warm crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to create a decadent dessert experience that balances the warm, fruity base.

Best Ways to Serve Ina Garten Plum Crisp

  • Serve Warm and Comforting: Scoop this delightful plum crisp into individual bowls while it's still warm, letting the golden-brown topping and juicy plums create a mouthwatering moment.
  • Pair with Creamy Companions: Top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the dessert's rich, fruity flavors.
  • Breakfast Transformation: Enjoy leftovers the next morning by adding a spoonful of Greek yogurt on top, turning this dessert into a delectable breakfast treat that feels like a special indulgence.
  • Garnish with Elegance: Sprinkle some chopped nuts or a light dusting of cinnamon over the crisp just before serving to add an extra layer of texture and aromatic warmth.

Store Ina Garten’s Plum Crisp Without Losing Texture

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store any leftover plum crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the delightful crunch intact.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled crisp tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months for a quick dessert rescue anytime.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm individual servings in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crispy topping's original golden texture and delicious warmth.
  • Serve Perfectly: Let the crisp cool for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set, ensuring each serving is beautifully structured and easier to plate.
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Rustic Plum Crisp Recipe

Rustic Plum Crisp Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Home bakers adore this delightful Plum Crisp from Ina Garten that celebrates late summer’s harvest. Juicy plums nestled beneath a golden, crumbly oat topping create an irresistible dessert you’ll want to savor with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 plums, pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) white sugar
  • ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 ½ tsps baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Fruit Layer: Distribute plums evenly across the dish and dust with granulated sugar.
  3. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining sugar in a large mixing bowl until uniform.
  4. Batter Formation: Incorporate whisked egg into dry ingredients, creating a smooth, consistent mixture.
  5. Butter Integration: Fold melted butter into the batter, stirring until a cohesive texture develops.
  6. Assembly: Spread batter uniformly over sugared plums, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  7. Baking Process: Slide dish into preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping achieves a rich golden hue and a test skewer emerges clean when inserted.
  8. Cooling Stage: Allow dessert to rest for 10-15 minutes, permitting the crisp to settle and flavors to meld before serving at warm or room temperature.

Notes

  • Fruit Selection: Choose ripe, firm plums with vibrant color and slight give when gently pressed for the best flavor and texture.
  • Butter Temperature: Use melted butter at room temperature to ensure smooth batter consistency and even distribution.
  • Topping Technique: Spread batter gently and evenly over plums to create a uniform golden crust and prevent uneven baking.
  • Cooling Importance: Let the crisp rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld together perfectly.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 315
  • Sugar: 33 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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