Poached Plums is a classic dessert that brings out the natural sweetness of fresh plums. I discovered this recipe during a fall cooking spree and fell in love with how the orange juice and cinnamon create such amazing flavors. The best part? It’s super easy to make. The plums turn wonderfully soft and keep their shape while soaking up all the delicious syrup.
About the Recipe
This recipe takes basic plums and turns them into something special. The gentle poaching method keeps the fruit intact while making it perfectly tender. The orange juice adds brightness, while cinnamon brings warmth and depth. It’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight treat. The contrast between warm plums and cold ice cream creates a wonderful eating experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love how simple yet impressive this dessert is. The cooking process fills your kitchen with amazing smells, and watching the plums transform is really fun. It’s also flexible – you can make it ahead and warm it up later. The recipe is almost foolproof, making it perfect for new cooks. Plus, it’s a great way to use plums when they’re in season or just slightly underripe.
Poached Plums
Ingredients
- 250 g Plums
- 50 g Caster Sugar
- a small stick Cinnamon
- 200 ml Water
- 1 cup Orange Juice
to serve
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan over medium flame.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, water and orange juice.
- Simmer until sugar fully dissolved, stirring occasionally.
- When it has a syrup like consistency, add the plums.
- Poach (Cook) for 15 minutes or until the plums are soft.
- Discard the cinnamon stick.
- Transfer to serving bowls.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sign up for our newsletter
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of fruit in this recipe?
Yes. Pears, peaches, and apricots work well. Just adjust cooking time based on the fruit’s firmness. Harder fruits like pears need longer cooking, while soft fruits like peaches need less time.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
The plums can be poached up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge in their syrup. Just warm them gently before serving. The flavor actually gets better after a day or two.
How do I know when the plums are perfectly cooked?
The plums should be tender when pierced with a fork, but still hold their shape. They’ll look slightly darker and more translucent when done. If they start splitting, they’re overcooked.
