June 13, 2024

Plum and Almond Pudding Recipe

Plum pudding is a lovely holiday dessert, but what do you make when you want to have a dessert with plums in it not at Christmas time? Plum and Almond Pudding! Plums are such a delicious summer treat and with this recipe you will be enjoying a warm plum and almond pudding all year around!

In this recipe, you will learn how to make a lovely plum and almond pudding.

What is Plum and Almond Pudding?

Plum and almond pudding is a dessert that combines the flavours of plums and almonds in a comforting, baked dish. Unlike traditional British plum pudding, this pudding typically features fresh or dried plums and ground almonds or almond extract, resulting in a lighter, more modern dessert.

Plum and almond pudding is a delicious and versatile dessert that highlights the complementary flavours of sweet plums and nutty almonds. As it is relatively simple to prepare, it can be adapted to various dietary needs and preferences.

Here’s an overview of the ingredients, preparation, and characteristics of plum and almond pudding.

Serving Suggestions

Toppings: dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, or serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Garnish: sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds for added texture and flavour.

Characteristics

Flavour: the pudding has a rich, almond flavour complemented by the sweetness and slight tartness of the plums.
Texture: it is typically moist and tender, with a slightly dense crumb from the ground almonds.
Versatility: this pudding can be enjoyed as a dessert, a sweet breakfast treat, or a snack.

Variations

Gluten-Free: substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or use more almond flour.
Dairy-Free: use dairy-free butter and substitute milk or cream with almond milk or another plant-based milk.
Additional Fruits: add other fruits like peaches, apricots, or berries for a different flavour profile.

Do I Have to Garnish with Almond Flakes or Plums?

No, you do not.

The purpose of the almond flakes is to make the appearance of the plum and almond pudding nicer. However, if you forgot to get the almond flakes, leaving them off of the dish will not alter the taste at all.

The extra plums on top of the cake batter is also for appearances. The pudding will taste lovely without them on top but having them makes the overall presentation more appealing.

Do I Have to Use Ripened Plums for My Plum Pudding?

Yes, your plums must be ripe. If they are not the plum pudding will be incredibly bitter. I made this mistake once thinking that the sugar and the baking of the dish will sweeten the plums, but that is not the case. Even after baking, the plums will be incredibly bitter and will make the plum part of the plum pudding really sour and inedible.

See below for tips on how to ripen your plums at home.

How Do I Know if My Plums are Ripe?

Knowing if your plums are ripe is important for ensuring they are sweet, juicy, and full of flavour. This recipe uses plums that are red. Here are several ways to determine if your plums are ripe and ready to eat:

Texture
- Firmness: gently press the plum with your thumb. Ripe plums should give slightly under pressure but not be too soft or mushy. They should feel firm but have a slight give.
- Skin: the skin of a ripe plum should be smooth and slightly tender. Wrinkled skin can indicate overripe fruit, while hard and unyielding skin suggests the plum is still unripe.
Colour
- Variety Specific: plums come in various colours, including red, purple, yellow, and green. Check the specific variety you have, as the colour change can indicate ripeness. For example, red plums should be a deep red, while yellow plums should be a vibrant yellow.
Aroma
- Smell: ripe plums will have a sweet, fragrant aroma. If you can smell the fruit’s sweetness without having to hold it close to your nose, it is likely ripe.
Weight
- Heaviness: ripe plums will feel heavier for their size due to their high juice content. Pick up a few plums of similar size and choose the heaviest ones.
Taste
- Flavour: if you are still unsure, you can cut open a plum and taste it. A ripe plum should be juicy and sweet with a slightly tart edge, depending on the variety.
Appearance
- Bloom: some plums have a natural powdery coating known as “bloom.” This is a good sign that the plum has not been over-handled and is fresh. The bloom should be present but not excessive.
- Colour Consistency: look for even coloration without too many green spots (unless the variety is green when ripe). Uneven coloration might indicate that the plum is not fully ripe.

Ripening Your Plums at Home for Your Plum Pudding

If your plums are not quite ripe, you can ripen them at home. However, if you try to make this recipe with non-ripened plums, they can make the pudding too sour to eat.

Room Temperature: place the plums in a single layer at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Then they should ripen in a few days.
Paper Bag: to speed up the ripening process, place the plums in a paper bag. Adding a banana or an apple to the bag can help release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening.

Storage

Ripe Plums: once your plums are ripe, store them in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process. They should keep for several days to a week.
Unripe Plums: keep unripe plums at room temperature until they reach the desired ripeness.

By using these methods, you can ensure that your plums are perfectly ripe and ready to enjoy, whether you are eating them fresh, baking, or making dishes like plum and almond pudding.

Ingredients

Plums: fresh plums are commonly used, but dried plums (prunes) can also be an option. However, fresh plums should be pitted and sliced.

Almonds: ground almonds (almond meal or almond flour) are often used to add a rich, nutty flavour.

Flaked Almonds: flaked almonds are used for texture and garnish.

Flour: all-purpose flour (plain flour) and almond flour to give it the lovely almond taste.

Lemon Zest: Lemon zest provides a concentrated lemon flavour. This makes it perfect for adding a burst of lemon flavour.

Sugar: granulated sugar or brown sugar to sweeten the pudding.

Butter: butter adds richness and helps create a tender texture.

Eggs: eggs act as a binding agent and provide structure

Cinnamon: cinnamon to enhance the flavour.

Baking Powder: baking powder helps the pudding rise slightly and ensures a light texture.

Tips

Make sure that your plums are not too sour. If they are, it can cause the whole dish to be inedible.
Place plums on top of the almond batter under the almond flakes for a nicer presentation.
Use a pie dish if no 9×5 pan is available for you to use.
The batter on top can bake quite quickly at first. Let it brown (approximately 20 minutes) and then tent aluminum foil on top to keep it from burning.