5 Prim & Proper Prune Recipes to Add a Festive Touch to Your Kitchen Bakes

Winter is the season for the surge of dried fruits, similar to how our scalp and skin also start to dry up like a shriveled-up prune. Since we are in that phase right now, how about we walk you through using prunes in desserts? Sure, they taste amazing, even better than dried cranberries, or the regular dates. But imagine them in desserts—wouldn’t that be just fantastic? So we’ve got some easy recipes lined up just for you to try and serve to your guests, or make them in batches and give yourself a treat!

1. Prune Crumble

Filling:

• 500 gm pitted prunes
• 100 ml apple juice

Crumble topping:

• 150 gm all-purpose flour
• 100 gm rolled oats
• 100 gm brown sugar
• 100 gm butter, cut into pieces

Instructions:

• 1. Turn on the oven and preheat it to 180°C.
• 2. Neatly arrange the pitted prunes in a baking dish and pour the apple juice over them.
• 3. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, and brown sugar.
• 4. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
• 5. Sprinkle this crumble topping evenly over the apple juice-soaked prunes.
• 6. Bake for 30-35 minutes; the top of this crumble should turn a golden hue.
• 7. Allow to cool a bit before serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream dollops.

2. Prune Clafoutis

Ingredients:

• 250 gm pitted prunes
• 4 eggs
• 150 ml milk
• 100 gm sugar
• 50 gm all-purpose flour
• A pinch of salt
• 30 gm butter

Instructions:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease an oven-safe dish with butter.
• 2. Arrange the prunes in an attractive pattern within the prepared dish.
• 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, flour, and salt into a smooth batter.
• 4. Pour the batter over the prunes and dot the surface with butter pieces.
• 5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until puffed and golden in appearance.

3. Prune Squares

Ingredients:

• 500 gm pitted prunes
• 250 gm brown sugar
• 250 gm all-purpose flour
• 125 gm butter, softened
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

• 1. Pit and coarsely chop 300 gm of prunes. Add to a mixing bowl along with 150 gm of brown sugar. Stir to combine.
• 2. Sift in the 150 gm of flour and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon powder. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients.
• 3. Soften 100 gm of butter at room temperature. Cut it into the dry mixture using a fork or fingers until coarse crumbs form.
• 4. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with baking paper, overhanging on the sides for easy removal.
• 5. Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan. Firmly press into an even layer across the bottom.
• 6. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes, until the surface is lightly golden brown.
• 7. Allow bars to fully cool in the pan before lifting them out and cutting them into squares.

4. Dark Chocolate Mousse With Prunes

Ingredients:

• 200 gm dark chocolate, chopped
• 4 eggs, separated
• 150 gm prunes, chopped
• 150 gm whipping cream
• 50 gm sugar

Instructions:

• 1. Begin by melting chocolate using the double boiler method or you can also choose to melt it in the microwave while stirring in between.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks until they are light and airy.
• 3. Quickly add the chocolate, slowly incorporating the liquid into the yolks until fully combined.
• 4. Now, in another bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• 5. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate-yolk mixture in two batches.
• 5. Grab another mixing bowl and whisk the cream and sugar until soft billows form then add it to the big bowl of chocolate and whipped egg whites.
• 6. Stir chopped prunes into the blended mousse.
• 7. Scoop the finished mousse evenly among serving dishes or glasses.

5. Prune Bars

Ingredients:

• 300 gm pitted prunes
• 150 gm brown sugar
• 100 gm butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150 gm all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, while that happens, line a 20x20 cm baking pan with baking paper, making sure you keep an excess margin.
• 2. In a mixer grinder, grind the prunes and brown sugar until smooth, then add butter and grind again until combined.
• 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla, once mixed, add to the prune mixture in the mixer grinder and process until combined.
• 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet in the mixer grinder concoction and pulse again, until just combined.
• 5. Transfer dough to the prepared pan, then use your fingers to evenly press into the pan.
• 6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.