Plum Tart is a simple yet elegant dessert that highlights the natural sweetness and slight tartness of ripe plums. Nestled in a buttery pastry crust and lightly caramelized as it bakes, this tart is both rustic and refined.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery, flaky tart crust
- Juicy caramelized plums
- Beautiful rustic presentation
- Simple ingredients
- Perfect seasonal dessert
- Light yet satisfying
- Great for entertaining
- Works with different plum varieties
- Pairs well with ice cream or cream
- Bakery-style results at home
Ingredients

For the Tart Crust
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1–2 tablespoons cold water
- Pinch of salt
For the Plum Filling
- 5–6 ripe plums, sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
For Topping
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional)
- Apricot jam for glaze (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions

- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles crumbs.
- Add egg yolk and cold water, mix into dough.
- Chill dough for 20–30 minutes.
- Roll out dough and press into tart pan.
- Arrange sliced plums over crust.
- Mix sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Drizzle mixture over plums.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Optional: brush with warm apricot jam for shine.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use yellow or black plums for variation
- Add almond extract for depth of flavor
- Mix plums with peaches or nectarines
- Sprinkle almond slices on top
- Use puff pastry for quicker version
- Serve warm for best texture
- Add vanilla ice cream when serving
- Chill dough for flakier crust
- Reduce sugar if plums are very sweet
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for warmth
Storage & Freezing Instructions
- Store at room temperature up to 1 day
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Reheat slices in oven for best texture
- Freeze baked tart up to 2 months
- Wrap tightly before freezing
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight
Serving & Pairing Ideas

- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Hot coffee
- Black tea
- Almond cream drizzle
- Fresh berries
- Light brunch spread
- Summer picnic dessert
- Holiday dessert table
- Elegant dinner parties
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of plums?
Yes, any ripe plum variety works well, including red, black, or yellow plums.
Do I need to peel the plums?
No, the skin softens during baking and adds color and flavor.
Can I make this tart ahead of time?
Yes, it can be baked a day ahead and stored covered.
Why is my tart soggy?
Too much liquid from plums or underbaking can cause sogginess. Use cornstarch and bake until bubbling.
Ready to Make It?
This Plum Tart is buttery, juicy, and beautifully rustic. It’s a simple seasonal dessert that delivers elegant flavor with minimal effort, perfect for any occasion.
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Plum Tart
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
Description
Rustic plum tart made with buttery crust and juicy caramelized plums baked until golden.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1–2 tablespoons water
5–6 plums
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
1. Make dough and chill.
2. Roll and place in tart pan.
3. Slice plums.
4. Mix filling ingredients.
5. Arrange plums in crust.
6. Bake until golden and bubbling.
7. Cool and serve.
Notes
Use ripe plums for best flavor.
Chill dough for flaky crust.
Do not overfill with juice.
Serve warm or room temp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg