• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Easy Plum Compote Recipe

    Published: Aug 6, 2020 · Modified: Jul 6, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Bowl of plum compote with text overlay.
    Bowl of plum compote with text overlay.
    Bowl of plum compote with text overlay.

    Make this delicious Plum Compote in just 15 minutes with 4 simple ingredients. The plums break down into a delicious fruit sauce, perfect warm or cold on ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal etc...

    Bowl of plum compote next to pancakes.

    For this delicious plum compote, you simply need to heat the plums with a little sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon until it starts to break down! It's super easy and tasted divine.

    It becomes a thick fruit compote in just a few minutes and it's perfect served on yogurt, ice cream waffles etc...

    It's a versatile sauce that's perfect for using up seasonal plums!

    Jump to:
    • What is compote?
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step by step tutorial
    • Tips
    • Storage and freezing
    • What is a compote used for?
    • How to freeze plums
    • What can I do with frozen plums?
    • Compote Recipes
    • Get the recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is compote?

    Compote is fruit that is cooked until it breaks down, with a little sugar added. It's less sweet than jam and quicker to make, but it doesn't last as long.

    It's a great way to use up seasonal fruit and turns it into a thick chunky plum compote that's perfect for topping ice cream, waffles, oatmeal and much more.

    Bowl of cooked plums with cinnamon stick.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Perfect to use up plums that are past their best.
    A deep sweet/tangy flavor.
    Perfect warm or cold.
    A great breakfast-topper for pancakes, waffles, toast.
    Ready in minutes.
    Less sweet than jam.

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy plum compote!

    Plums - any fresh, ripe plums work - or use frozen (just cook it a little longer)
    Sugar - use any sugar: organic, vegan, brown, sugar-in-the-raw
    Lemon juice - or substitute orange or clementine juice.
    Cinnamon stick - or use ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

    Step by step tutorial

    Wondering how to make plum compote?

    This is SUCH an easy recipe! Seriously, if it's your first time making compote, you'll wonder why it isn't your go-to way to use up fruit.

    Follow these step by step photos, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

    Chopped plums on a wooden board.

    Wash and halve the plums. Remove and discard the stones, leave the skin on them and cut into quarters.

    Pot of sugar syrup with cinnamon stick.

    Add the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon stick to a pot. Heat for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

    Pot of plums.

    Add the plums and bring to the boil.

    Pot of cooked plums with cinnamon stick.

    Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes or until the fruit begins to break down.
    The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.
    Enjoy warm or allow to cool and store in a jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    Tips

    • There's no need to peel the plums. Not only is it a fiddly, messy job, but the skins add color, taste and fibre to the compote.
    • The color of your compote will depend on the variety of fruit you use.
    • Try adding in two star anise for another great flavor.
    • The cinnamon stick is optional, but does give a great taste. Substitute for ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon if you don't have a stick.
    • Swap the lemon juice for orange juice for a different flavor.
    • Try with 2 tablespoon maple syrup instead of sugar.
    • Still have more plums to use up? Try Stewed Plums. They're less of a sauce and are more like poached plum halves.

    Storage and freezing

    Fridge: Keep in a lidden jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    Freezer: Store the completely cooled compote in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months.

    What is a compote used for?

    Compote is really versatile. I love to use it in many ways, including these serving suggestions:

    Pancakes (try it on my vegan pancakes)
    Waffles (try my vegan waffles)
    Cinnamon French Toast
    Ice cream
    Yogurt
    Oatmeal
    On cheesecake
    Spread on cake

    Close up of cooked plum sauce.

    How to freeze plums

    Plums are very abundant when they're in season. I like to batch freeze them so I have them in the winter to make this awesome plum compote and other recipes.

    To freeze plums, simply halve them and remove the stone. Depending on what you'll use them for, you can leave them as halves, slice them or chop them into chunks.

    Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (a few hours to overnight depending on your freezer and the size of the plums). Then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freezing them first on a tray stops them from freezing in a clump.

    What can I do with frozen plums?

    For most uses, you won't need to defrost them first.

    Whiz the frozen fruit into smoothies or put through a juicer.

    You can use the plums frozen in the pan for this compote, jam or chutney.

    Add frozen plums to a pastry shell, bake it and you'll have a quick and easy pie. Or try it in a crisp/crumble.

    Use the plums in cakes and other bakes.

    Dip frozen plum chunks into melted chocolate for a tasty treat.

    Bowl of cooked plums next to pancakes.

    Compote Recipes

    If you love this plum compote recipe as much as we do, then be sure to try these other tasty (and easy!) fruit compote recipes.

    Raspberry Compote
    Blackberry Compote
    Mango Compote
    Pineapple Compote
    Apple Compote with Cinnamon and Raisins
    Peach Compote
    Blueberry Compote
    Rhubarb Compote
    Strawberry Compote

    Check out this list of the BEST Fruit Compote Recipes

    Bowl of plum compote next to pancakes.

    Get the recipe

    Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

    Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon

    Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog. I love sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes with you all.
    Kate x

    📖 Recipe

    Bowl of plum compote.

    Easy Plum Compote

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    Make this delicious Plum Compote in just 10 minutes with 4 simple ingredients. The plums break down into a delicious fruit sauce, perfect warm or cold on ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles and more.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    SaveSaved!
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Condiments, Dips and Spreads
    Cuisine American, French
    Servings 6
    Calories 53 kcal

    Equipment

    • Pot

    Ingredients
     

    • 7 plums
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoons lemon juice or orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 cinnamon stick optional

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and halve the plums. Remove and discard the stones, leave the skin on them and cut into quarters.
      Chopped plums on a wooden board.
    • Add the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon stick to a pot. Heat for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.
      Pot of sugar syrup with cinnamon stick.
    • Add the plums and bring to the boil.
      Pot of plums.
    • Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes or until the fruit begins to break down. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.
      Pot of cooked plums with cinnamon stick.
    • Enjoy warm or allow to cool and store in a jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    Video

    Notes

     
    • There's no need to peel the plums. Not only is it a fiddly, messy job, but the skins add color, taste and fibre to the compote.
    • The color of your compote will depend on the variety of fruit you use.
    • Try adding in two star anise for another great flavor.
    • The cinnamon stick is optional, but does give a great taste. Substitute for ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon if you don't have a stick.
    • Swap the lemon juice for orange juice for a different flavor.
    • Try with 2 tablespoon maple syrup instead of sugar.
    Storage and freezing
    Fridge: Keep in a lidded jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.
    Freezer: Store the completely cooled compote in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months.
    Serving suggestions
    Compote is really versatile. I love to use it in many ways, including these serving suggestions:
    • Pancakes (try it on my vegan pancakes)
    • Waffles (try my vegan waffles)
    • Cinnamon French Toast
    • Ice cream
    • Yogurt
    • Oatmeal
    • On cheesecake
    • Spread on cake
     More compote recipes
    • Raspberry Compote
    • Blackberry Compote
    • Mango Compote
    • Pineapple Compote
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 53kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Condiment Recipes

    • Apple Frosting
    • Cheese Sauce
    • Easy Refried Beans
    • Frozen Berry Compote
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jazz

      June 15, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first ever compote and it was such a delicious addition to a Slovak dessert that I made called Kysnuty Kolach. Thank you so much for sharing this on your site.

      Reply
    2. Siobhan

      November 17, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and tasty. I put it on a plum and almond cake.

      Reply
    3. Peter

      November 20, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      Tastes delicious

      Reply
    4. Julie

      October 06, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a favorite of mine. I love fruit in any format.

      Reply
    5. Jessica Formicola

      August 06, 2020 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      I love plums, and this compote looks amazing! I can't wait to give it a try!

      Reply
    6. Jill

      August 06, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      Love the color on this compote. Now I need to head to the store and buy some fresh plums!

      Reply
    7. Sue

      August 06, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      This looks delicious and so easy! Can't wait to give it a try!

      Reply
    8. Beth Sachs

      August 06, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! I love fruit compotes stirred through greek yogurt for breakfast.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me
    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Press
    • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for newsletter updates

    Disclaimers

    • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts