Honey Plum Shortbread Bars

Sweet, juicy plums meet buttery shortbread and golden honey in these irresistible Honey Plum Shortbread Bars. With a tender, crumbly crust, jammy plum filling, and a simple sweet drizzle, these bars are the perfect way to put fresh plums to delicious use.

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The Best Honey Plum Shortbread Bars

These honey plum shortbread bars are the kind of dessert that looks a little fancy but comes together with surprisingly little fuss. They’re buttery, fruity, sweet, and tangy with just the right amount of honey goodness. Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Fresh Plum Flavor: Juicy chopped plums create a sweet-tart filling that tastes like late summer/early autumn in every bite.
• Honey Sweetened: Honey adds a beautiful natural sweetness and subtle floral flavor throughout the bars.
• Easy to Make: There’s no complicated pastry work here: just mix, layer, bake, and drizzle.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: A gluten-free 1:1 baking blend makes these bars easy to keep gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Option: With a couple of simple substitutions, these bars can easily be made dairy-free.

Honey Plum Shortbread Bars Ingredients & Substitutions

A handful of simple ingredients come together to create these delicious little bars. The combination of buttery shortbread, fresh plums, honey, and lemon is where the magic happens.

Shortbread Bars

• Salted Butter: Gives the shortbread its rich, buttery flavor and tender texture. Dairy-free butter can be used for a dairy-free version.
• Honey: Adds sweetness and a subtle floral flavor to the shortbread. Use your favorite liquid honey for the best texture.
• Vanilla: A little vanilla enhances the buttery, honeyed flavor of the shortbread.
• Gluten-Free Flour: A gluten-free 1:1 baking blend creates a tender shortbread while keeping the recipe gluten-free. Regular all-purpose flour can be used if gluten-free isn’t necessary.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the honey and butter.

Plum Filling

• Plums: Fresh, ripe plums are the star of this filling, bringing juicy sweetness and a lovely tartness to every bite.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the plum filling and balances the sweetness of the honey. Lime juice would be a tasty twist.
• Honey: Adds another layer of natural sweetness while complementing the fresh plum flavor.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the plum juices as the bars bake, creating a soft, jammy filling. Tapioca starch will also work.

Icing

• Powdered Sugar: Creates the smooth, sweet drizzle that finishes the bars.
• Milk: Thins the powdered sugar into a pour-able icing. Your favorite dairy-free milk can be used to make the icing dairy-free.
• Salt: Just a tiny pinch helps balance the sweetness of the icing.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Honey Plum Shortbread Bars

Now for the fun part! These bars are wonderfully simple to assemble, with a shortbread crust, juicy plum layer, crumbly topping, and sweet drizzle all baked together in one pan.

1. Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and non-stick baking spray.
2. Make the Shortbread: In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the butter, honey, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add the Flour: Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed just until combined.
4. Build the Crust: Place two-thirds of the shortbread crumbs into the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer.
5. Make the Plum Filling: In a medium bowl, gently toss the pitted and chopped plums with the honey, lemon juice, and cornstarch. If the plums have released a lot of excess juice, strain it off before spreading the mixture over the crust.
6. Add the Topping: Spread the plum mixture evenly over the shortbread crust, then crumble the remaining shortbread dough over the top.
7. Bake: Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
8. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
9. Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and salt until smooth.
10. Drizzle and Slice: Drizzle the icing over the fully cooled bars, then slice and enjoy!

Helpful Hints

A few simple tricks will help you get the perfect balance of buttery shortbread and juicy plum filling. Most importantly, don’t rush the cooling process. These bars need a little time to set properly.

• Choose Ripe Plums: Look for plums that are ripe and juicy for the best flavor and texture.
• Strain Excess Juice: If your chopped plums are particularly juicy, strain off any extra liquid before adding them to the crust to help prevent a soggy bottom.
• Press the Crust Firmly: Firmly pressing the bottom layer into the pan gives you a sturdy shortbread base that holds together beautifully.
• Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely before adding the icing and slicing. This allows the plum filling to set.
• Don’t Over-mix: Once the flour is added, mix only until the dough comes together to keep the shortbread tender.

Fun Flavor Twists

While the classic honey and plum combination is pretty hard to beat, these bars are also a great canvas for a few delicious flavor upgrades. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of these easy twists.

• Ginger Plum: Add a little freshly grated ginger to the plum filling for a warm, lightly spicy flavor.
• Berry Plum: Toss a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries into the plum filling for a fruity twist.
• Almond Plum: Add a splash of almond extract to the shortbread and finish the bars with sliced almonds before baking.
• Honey Lavender: Add a small amount (approx 1 teaspoon) of culinary lavender to the shortbread for a delicate floral flavor that pairs beautifully with honey.
• Spiced Plum: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough and filling for a cozy, fall-inspired version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a few questions before you get baking? Here are some quick answers to help you make these Honey Plum Shortbread Bars perfectly the first time.

Can I use regular all-purpose flour?

Absolutely! The recipe calls for a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend, but regular all-purpose flour can be used if you don’t need the bars to be gluten-free.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Yes! Use dairy-free butter in the shortbread and dairy-free milk in the icing for an easy vegan/dairy-free version.

Do I need to peel the plums?

Nope! There’s no need to peel the plums. Simply wash, pit, and chop them before adding them to the filling.

Why do I need to strain the plum juice?

Some plums can release quite a bit of juice when chopped. Removing excess liquid helps prevent the shortbread crust from becoming soggy while the bars bake.

How should I store these bars?

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

The Best Honey Plum Shortbread Bars

These Honey Plum Shortbread Bars are buttery, fruity, and irresistibly sweet with a bright pop of fresh plum and honey in every bite. They’re an easy seasonal dessert that’s just as lovely for a cozy afternoon treat as it is for sharing with friends.

If you make these honey plum shortbread bars, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a 5-star rating and a review below, and don’t forget to tag @CAKEDbyKatie on social media so I can see your delicious creations!

More Delicious Recipes

Love these honey plum shortbread bars? I bet you’d like these sweet treats as well:

• Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars (Vegan Option)
• Gluten-Free Honey Rose Cake (Dairy-Free Option)
• Cranberry Honey Cake

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