Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars
Sweet and tangy crunch bars combining roasted macadamia nuts and tart Davidson’s plum jam for an Australian-inspired dessert with a nutty texture and fruity zing. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers rolled oats, all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks), melted unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup, roughly chopped roasted macadamia nuts
- 3/4 cup Davidson’s plum jam
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Stir in 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 tsp vanilla extract until mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Step 3: Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch baking pan to form the base.
- Step 4: Spread 3/4 cup Davidson’s plum jam evenly over the base layer.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup roughly chopped roasted macadamia nuts over the jam layer.
- Step 6: Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top to create a crunchy topping.
- Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and jam is bubbly. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Macadamia and Davidson’s Plum Crunch Bars?
Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
