Description
Rustic oats and brown sugar form a crunchy, buttery base beneath soft, vibrant plums dusted with cinnamon and bright lemon, bubbling through a crisp golden top. These bars balance sweet, tart, and warmly spiced notes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
- 4 large ripe plums
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press half of the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base.
- In a separate bowl, toss the diced plums with granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the fruit is well coated.
- Spread the plum filling evenly over the crust layer, then sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out and cutting into squares.
Notes
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Choose firm, ripe plums to ensure the filling holds its shape without becoming too watery.
- For a sturdier crust, chill the crumb mixture for 15 minutes before pressing it into the pan.