Plum Shortbread Bar: The Sweetest Surprise for Your Tastebuds!

A delicious sweet, buttery plum shortbread bar you can’t say no to. A shortbread crust with a layer of a sweet plum jam.  End of summer means time to pick all those ripened purple plums hanging from the fruit tree.  I never really knew what to do with the amount of plums we get, but I didn’t want them to go to waste.  I decided to make layered plum shortbread bars and canned up a few jars of plum jam.  

These plum shortbread bars are an easy to make layered bar.  Most the ingredients are found in your kitchen, with the exception of plums.  I am lucky enough to have a plum tree growing in the backyard.  There are several varieties of plums easily found in the produce section of any grocery store.  Any plum will do in this recipe.  

You can try other fruit, like apricots, peaches, or strawberries, just follow the directions, but use the alternative fruit to make a quick jam over the stove. 

Perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to elegant soirees, this Plum Shortbread Bar will be the star of the show.  Don’t miss out on this irresistible dessert that will have your friends begging for the recipe.  Get baking and spoil yourself with these delectable delights!

 

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Ingredients

• 3 pounds plums, sliced and seed removed
• brown sugar
• sugar
• unsalted butter
• flour
• salt
• vanilla extract, my favorite brand is Nielsen Massey Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract
• water
• cornstarch

Recipe Instructions

Step 1:  Line a 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper (not wax paper)

Step 2:  Make the plum jam.  In a small pot, add plums, granulated sugar, brown sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.  The plums will start to break down.  Place the plum mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.  You can also use an immersion blender to do this.  Place back into pot and continue cooking for another 8 minutes or so.

Step 3: Mix water with cornstarch and then add to plum mixture.  Continue to cook on medium heat until sauce has thickened.  Plum jam should be a paste like consistency.  Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

Step 4.  In a medium size bowl, mix flour, salt, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.  Add in cold butter and vanilla extract. Using a handheld mixer, on low speed, mix until crumbly and pea size bits.  

Step 5.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 5.  Press flour mixture into 8×8 baking dish, reserving 1/2 cup of flour mixture.

Step 6.  Top with an even layer of plum jam.

Step 7.  Sprinkle remaining flour mixture on top of plum jam.

Step 8.  Bake 35-40 minutes.

Step 7.  Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy!