Roasted Plum Compote

Okay, this Roasted Plum Compote is one of those recipes that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. You just roast plums with a little sugar, lemon juice, and spices until they’re soft, jammy, and full of deep, rich flavor. It’s perfect on yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or straight off the spoon. The oven does all the work, and you get a super versatile topping that tastes like late summer in a jar.

💛 Why I Love This Recipe

I make this every plum season—it’s my “what to do with too many plums” solution. The roasting makes the flavor so much richer than just cooking it on the stove. Bonus: your house will smell amazing while it bakes.

Only 5 ingredients
Roasting = richer flavor than stovetop
Sweet, slightly tart, and spiced
Keeps in the fridge all week
Works with any kind of plum

🍑 What You’ll Need

1 ½ lbs ripe plums, pitted and sliced
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt

a glass jar filled with roasted plum compote, glossy and thick with visible plum chunks, deep purple in color with a few cinnamon specks

🧁 How to Make Roasted Plum Compote

Step 1: Prep the Plums

Slice plums into wedges and place in a baking dish.

sliced plum wedges being added to a ceramic baking dish, bright red and purple with juicy edges.

Step 2: Add Sugar, Lemon Juice, and Spices

Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt over the plums. Toss gently to coat.

brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt being sprinkled over sliced plums in a baking dish, everything starting to glisten and coat the fruit.

Step 3: Roast

Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, stirring once, until the plums are soft and syrupy.

the plums roasting in the oven, juices bubbling around the edges and plum skins darkening and wrinkling slightly.

Step 4: Cool Slightly and Stir

Let the compote cool for 10–15 minutes. Stir gently to mix the juices with the fruit.

a spoon gently stirring the cooled roasted plum mixture in the baking dish, juices thickened and plums soft and glossy

Step 5: Store or Serve

Transfer to a jar or bowl. Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature.

thick roasted plum compote being spooned into a glass jar, with deep red-purple juices clinging to the sides and a few plum chunks visible

🍽️ What to Serve With

Yogurt (your breakfast will thank you)
Vanilla ice cream or panna cotta
Pancakes or waffles
Oatmeal
Toast with cream cheese

❓ FAQ

Can I use frozen plums?
Yes! Thaw and drain first, then roast as usual.

How long does it last?
Up to 1 week in the fridge. You can also freeze it for 1–2 months.

Can I use less sugar?
Totally. Adjust based on how sweet your plums are.

Do I need to peel the plums?
Nope. The skins soften and add color and flavor.

Can I add other spices?
Yes! Try cardamom, ginger, or star anise for a twist.

🍯 That’s It!

This Roasted Plum Compote is sweet, cozy, and ridiculously easy. Once you make it, you’ll want to spoon it on everything—trust me. Try it out and let me know what you pair it with! 💜🍇