I never make dessert for myself. Not only for the calorie component, but I’m just not into sugary stuff that much. As you may recall, I am the buttered popcorn queen. But for the last BBQ of the grilling season over Labor Day, I had to make something yummy for my guests and this was it. The markets are filled with stone fruit now and plums are so wonderful when they’re cooked. Oh yes, this was the one. It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s easy. Need I say more?
My Plum Nectarine Oatmeal Crisp has everything you could want in a dessert. It’s crunchy, nutty, sweet, syrupy, fruity, and with the addition of the cream cheese whipped cream, perfect. In the past I have added a scoop of plain whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, which are both very wonderful. Then I experienced Grace-Marie’s cream cheese whipped cream the last time I went to the Grace-Marie’s Kitchen cooking class at Bristol Farms, and was totally wowed by this decadent mixture.
Truthfully, I didn’t feel like hauling out my KitchenAid to make whipped cream, so did a quick and dirty version in a bowl with a fork. Oh, it was fabulous. A dollop or two of this ambrosia that screams **cheesecake** and you are transported to dessert heaven. Thank you Grace-Marie for your inspiration!
Plum Nectarine Oatmeal Crisp
Serves 4-6 (or 2 with leftovers, maybe)
3 to 4 plums, with skin, diced (about 2 cups)
1 nectarine, with skin, diced, about 1 cup
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into bits
½ tablespoon butter for bottom of baking dish
Cream cheese whipped cream (recipe below), whipped cream or ice cream as an accompaniment, if desired
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Butter bottom of an 8×8-inch glass baking dish.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together plums, nectarine, lemon juice and granulated sugar. Spread mixture evenly on bottom of buttered baking dish.
4. In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, oats, salt, cinnamon, ginger and walnuts. Blend in butter bits with fork or pastry cutter until mixture resembles course meal. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over plum mixture.
5. Place baking dish on lined sheet and bake in 375 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until crisp. Cool slightly. Top with cream cheese whipped cream, if desired, and serve.
Note: If you don’t have a nectarine, use 3 cups plums.
Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
4 ounces cream cheese
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tablespoons sugar
1. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and whipping cream with a fork until no lumps remain and mixture has thickened. Add sugar to taste and mix to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.