Go Back
+ servings
Crumb bars cut on parchment paper

Plum Bars with Crumb Topping

Alicia
Plum Bars have a buttery crust, crumbly topping, and sweet plum jam filling. A dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finish!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Brownies and Bars
Servings 16 squares

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
  • 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt fine kosher or sea
  • Zest from 1 small orange
  • 1 cup plum jam or preserves preferably from black plums like Damson
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with butter. Then, line with a strip of parchment paper cut to fit, leaving several inches of overhang on either side.
  • In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each one. If the butter is hot, allow it to cool a bit before moving on.
  • To the melted butter, add the flour, sugar, salt, and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the plum jam and orange juice
  • Using your hands, press half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then, spread out the jam mixture. Crumble the other half of the dough evenly over the jam.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, just until the top begins to very lightly brown.
  • Allow the bars to completely cool in the pan, about 2 hours. Then, remove them from the pan using the parchment paper handles.
  • Using a fine-mesh sifter, dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar.
  • Cut the bars in half, then cut each half in half again to give you 4 rows. Then, rotate the bars and repeat the other way. This will yield 16 small bars.

Notes

If you only have salted butter, I suggest omitting the sea salt so that they aren't too salty.
If you don't like the jam to become tacky and chewy around the edges, leave a half-inch gap between the jam and the edge of the pan before topping with the crumb topping.
Be sure to bake them just until the top is lightly brown. Over baking will result in a dry crumb and overly chewy jam filling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 244kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 358IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisHomeKitchen or tag #thishomekitchen so I can see your photos!