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    Home » Desserts » Desserts with Fruit » Plums with Balsamic Glaze

    Plums with Balsamic Glaze

    Jul 3, 2018 · by Valentina · 15 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Plums with Balsamic Glaze and Ice Cream is a quick and easy summer dessert that you can make with any plum variety you love. I love to make it with Elephant Heart Plums because their color is so gorgeous! This is lovely for summer dinner parties.

    Sliced Elephant Heart plums with strawberry slices on a white textured plate with balsamic drizzle and a few oregano sprigs.

    The first time I sliced into an Elephant Heart Plum, I felt obligated to display it artfully. It was so stunning! And delicious!

    Of course you can use any plum variety to make this pretty dessert.

    And when you add balsamic glaze and ice cream . . . watch out!

    As simple as it is, Plums with Balsamic Glaze and Ice Cream is a show-stopping dessert -- both in flavor and looks!

    Just a Few Ingredients

    Sliced Elephant Heart plums and whole, small strawberries on a twic tabletop.
    • plums - I use Elephant Heart plums because I love the deep red color and they're super sweet flavor. Use any plum you love! Choose relatively firm plums that have smooth skin and have a little give when pressed gently.
    • strawberries - Look for strawberries that are bright red and have a natural shine, with bright green stems.
    • balsamic vinegar
    • black pepper - It might surprise you to have black pepper in a dessert, but it works beautifully with the other ingredients in this dessert. You might also be surprised that some black peppers are better than others. I always use Kampot pepper from The Pepper Project. Kampot is outstanding and really enhances this dessert.
    • fresh herbs - The touch of green finishes the desert perfectly. You can use mint, thyme or oregano.

    (See recipe card below for quantities.)

    Pro Tip: During the summer, try to buy your strawberries at your local Farmers' Market. Walk up and down the market and sample at each strawberry booth before deciding where to buy. Find your local Farmers' Market.

    How to Make Balsamic Glaze Without Sugar

    - Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and place it over high heat.

    - As soon as it’s bubbling, turn the heat to low and simmer just until it becomes thick and is reduced by about half. The more it reduces and the thicker it becomes, the sweeter it is.

    Close up of Elephant Heart plum slices with a few strawberries and vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

    Variations

    • This summer dessert is also amazing with other stone fruits like peaches and apricots.
    • You can change up the ice cream if you'd like. It's really delicious over Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream, and it's fabulous with Frozen Lemon Custard.
    Drawing of three Elephant Heart plum halves.

    Little known fact: Many moons ago I made food greeting cards that were sold in an LA cookbook store. This one, titled "Love Plums," is of Elephant Heart plums, and was for Valentine's Day.

    Can you make it ahead?

    This only takes a few minutes and is best served right after it's made.

    More Fresh Fruit Desserts

    • Easy Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream
    • Grapefruit Brûlée Recipe
    • Watermelon Pizza with Lime
    • Mint Simple Syrup with Strawberries and Apricots
    Close up of Elephant Heart plum slices with a few strawberries and vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

    Sometimes it’s the most simple recipes that are the best. I hope you love it!

    Sliced Elephant Heart plums with strawberry slices on a white textured plate with balsamic drizzle and a few oregano sprigs.

    Plums with Balsamic Glaze Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    A gorgeous summer quick and easy plum dessert that's over-the-top delicious!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 8 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 208 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Elephant Heart plums, washed and dried (or plum of your choice)
    • about 5 small strawberries, washed and dried
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 scoops your favorite vanilla ice cream
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • a few small sprigs fresh herbs, like thyme, mint or oregano

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the plums. Cut the plums in half, lengthwise, gently remove the pits, and then cut each half horizontally into thin slices. Arrange the slices evenly between two dessert plates, or on a large serving platter.
    • Prepare the strawberries. Remove the stems from the strawberries, cut them into thin slices, and arrange them any which way on top of the plums.
    • Make the balsamic glaze. Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan and place it over high heat. As soon as it’s bubbling, turn the heat to low and simmer just until it becomes thick and is reduced by about half, about 7 minutes.
    • Assemble. Add a scoop of the ice cream on top of each plate or the serving platter, drizzle with the balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with a bit of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately!

    NOTES

    Nutritional information is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 356mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 529IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keywords dessert for summer party, fresh fruit desserts
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. danielle wolter

      July 05, 2018 at 3:46 am

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious! I didn't know anything about elephant heart plums. Great info!

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:24 am

        Thanks, Danielle! Hope you try one. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Demeter

      July 05, 2018 at 5:11 am

      Such an amazing combination of flavors! Perfect dessert for summer!

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:25 am

        Thanks so much. Hope you give it a go. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      July 05, 2018 at 5:11 am

      5 stars
      I've never heard of those type of plums before, but they look beautiful!! Nice combo with the balsamic too. Perfect summer meal 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:25 am

        I love this combination too -- hope you try it! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sherri @ WatchLearnEat

      July 05, 2018 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      Wow! So beautiful! I've never had elephant heart plums before but I will definitely have to give them a try!

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:26 am

        Yes! They're SO delicious. Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Shashi at SavorySpin

      July 05, 2018 at 5:57 am

      5 stars
      WOW! What a gorgeous looking plate! I am not familiar with Elephant Heart Plums but they sure are gorgeous - that coloring is stunning! Now I need to head to a farmers market to look for these plums! BTW - Delicious pairing too!

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:26 am

        I hope you run into these at a Farmers Market - ask for a taste if you see them. 🙂 Thanks!

        Reply
    6. John / Kitchen Riffs

      July 05, 2018 at 6:43 am

      That looks terrific! And I don't think I know the Elephant Heart Plum -- glad to make its acquaintance. Love balsamic with strawberries -- great combo. Bet it tastes great with the plums and ice cream, too. Super dish -- thanks.

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 05, 2018 at 8:27 am

        Thanks so much, John! I hope you come across these plums -- they truly are special. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    7. David

      July 05, 2018 at 10:30 am

      I have never seen these for sale in Arizona. I would love to get my hands on some to make my plum soup! I will keep my eyes open! Thanks for the introduction!

      Reply
    8. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours

      July 09, 2018 at 4:37 am

      Beautiful looking dessert, amazing colours. I love how artistic the plums are, so pretty. Just perfect for a delicious treat on a hot summer day.

      Reply
    9. Cris Peterson

      July 09, 2018 at 4:43 am

      Oh my goodness. I LOVE this post! We always crack fresh Kampot pepper on our strawberries...strawberry ice cream...everything...but these plums! Must find. What a way to elevate a simple dish.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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