Yellow plums are my favorite. I grew up eating plums right off my Oma’s trees and these small, sweet yellow plums always got gobbled up first. When we had an abundance of fruit, we’d make these Yellow Plum Crumble Bars. With a shortbread-like crust and bursting with fruit, they’re sure to be a favorite!

Yellow Plum Crumble Bars on a black plate.

These days, with no plum trees readily accessible to my house, I get my plum fix from the farmers’ market, and every summer, the plums come in abundance! I get plums and more plums and make plum everything!

These Yellow Plum Crumble Bars are a favorite, and this is a very old family recipe. It’s super easy to make, and you make it in a 9×13-inch baking dish so it makes plenty.

You can even freeze the plum bars to enjoy a bite of summery goodness months later.

A top down shot of 3 Yellow Plum Crumble Bars on a black platter.

What You’ll Love About Yellow Plum Crumb Cake

Yellow plums are my pick for this recipe, but you can make it with purple plums, too.
It’s not too sweet; the plums have a sweet-tart flavor that’s perfect in these bars.
Cut them into large squares or smaller bites for every occasion and appetite.

What are Yellow Plums

Yellow plums, a summertime favorite, are small stone fruits with a vibrant yellow hue. They’re slightly sweeter and less tart than their red counterparts, making them ideal for baking. Their unique flavor adds a delightful twist to traditional crumble bars, creating a balance between sweet and tart that is truly irresistible.

3 Yellow Plum Crumble Bars on a black plate.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Old-fashioned rolled oats – NOT quick-cooking oats. Those won’t hold up as well in the bars.
Granulated sugar
Light brown sugar – Firmly packed. You can use dark brown or regular brown sugar but the flavor will be slightly different. I like light brown sugar because it accentuates the plum flavor rather than overwhelming it.
Vanilla extract – You can use pure or artificial vanilla extract.
Ground cinnamon
Baking powder – Make sure it’s not expired. Check out these baking powder substitutes if you’re running low.
Salt – Skip the salt if you’re using salted butter.
Unsalted butter – Cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. You can use salted butter, but then don’t add more salt to the recipe.
Yellow plums – You’ll need about 2 pounds.

How to make Yellow Plum Crumb Cake

Cut the plums into quarters or smaller, if they are large. Remove the pit and discard. You can leave the skins on.
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or grease it with butter.
Combine the flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender, fork, or your fingers until combined. Mix until crumbly but still holding together when pressed together.
Set aside 1 cup of crust mixture.
Transfer the remaining crust mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan – a spatula or offset spatula works great for this
Bake the crust for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from oven.
Layer the plums over the crust, overlapping each slice a bit. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture over the plums.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars, then enjoy!

Step By Step Process

Ingredients to make Yellow Plum Crumble Bars. — Ingredients.

Dry ingredients in a bowl with butter and vanilla nearby. — Ingredients.

Chef Jenn’s Recipe Notes

For a nuttier flavor, mix chopped almonds or walnuts into the crumble topping.
If yellow plums aren’t available, purple plums, peaches or nectarines make a great substitute.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper to make removing them even easier.
Letting the bars cool completely ensures they hold their shape when cut. Chill them first for the most even cuts.
Pick fruit that’s not super ripe so it holds its shape during baking.

Serving Suggestions

These Yellow Plum Crumble Bars are a fantastic dessert to round off any meal. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. They’re also great with a cup of coffee or tea for a mid-morning or afternoon snack.

Storage

To keep these bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the bars in a single layer and then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.