As greengage season looms closer, I begin to get excited by these muffins all over again. When first I purchased greengage plums, I was confused as to what to do with them. Having never seen them in any fresh form before moving out of London, I excitedly filled a paper bag full at the farm shop and then stared at them for days while they ripened, wondering how best to make use of my intriguing new discovery.
These muffins were a result of all that wondering along with the simple compote alone which was lovely on toast and as a cake filling.
The muffins are on the sweet side, more of a cake-y muffin than a bread-y breakfast muffin. They are a real treat served still a little warm from the oven, but keep well and moist for a few days and can be frozen.
Ingredients: Makes 12 Muffins
- 10 fresh greengages (or other plums), stoned and cubed (under ripe are good to use)
- 3 tbsp agave syrup (or other syrup like golden or sweet freedom)
- 140g/1/2 cup + 2 tbsp unrefined caster sugar
- 100g/7 tbsp (1/2 cup minus 1 tbsp) vegan spread
- 1 egg replacer (such as Ener-G, Orgran, soya flour)
- 225g/2 cups minus 3 tbsp self raising flour (or gluten free blend)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Method:
- Place the chopped fruit into a medium saucepan with the syrup. Gently bring to the boil then lower the heat and simmer until the compote is soft but still holding some shape. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 180’c/350’f and grease or line a 12 hole muffin pan.
- Cream together the margarine and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy then beat in the prepared egg replacer until combined.
- Stir through the cooled compote and all the syrup liquid. Add the flour, baking powder, ginger and salt and fold through just until fully combined, being careful not to over mix.
- Divide between the muffin cases and bake for 20 minutes or until golden and firm to touch and a skewer inserted comes out free of batter.
- Leave to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Bunny Kitchen 
Have to try this one.. Never heard of greengage.. Is it sour or sweet plum?
Can I substitute anything else if I don’t get it in USA? But loved the recipe and reblogging it 🙂
They are a sweet plum when ripe. You could substitute any plum or damson or even gooseberries would work! Thank you 🙂
Perfect:).
🙂
These muffins look great. Are greengage plums sold in organic stores?
Usually when in season and at farm shops and farmers markets. Poppy 🙂
What a unique idea to use plums! Freshly baked muffins are such a treat. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Thank you very much. Yes, freshly baked muffins warm from the oven are so good! I hope you’re having a great weekend too! Poppy 🙂
Oh yum! I have been waiting for fresh plums to come into season here (any day now). I will have to pay attention if they’re Greengage.
Great! You can sub any plums if you can’t get greengages! 🙂
Yummy! I love plums and especially greengages 🙂
Me too, they make these muffins taste like candy, it’s amazing! 🙂
I love greengages – they are something that remind me of my childhood as we used to have a fruit and veg van that used to come around with the most amazing fresh produce, and I always used to be allowed to buy greengages! I can’t find them any more though which is such a shame 😦 I may redouble my search to make this recipe!
Wow a veg van that’s great! They aren’t common anymore, I never ever see them in supermarkets but check out greengrocers, farm shops, farmers markets etc over the summer and hopefully you’ll find some! 🙂
I know! They used to come my grandparents house as they lived in a little tiny Devon village with no store and no public transport to the town/supermarkets. They used to have two – one came around with vegetables and fruits and the other had all the dry goods. So exciting!
Wow, we need more of those! Sounds so exciting! 🙂
Oh these look wonderful, greengages remind me of my grandpa who grew these at the bottom of his garden and now I’m going to have to keep my eyes open for some. Lovely bake!
Thanks Paula, sounds like lovely memories! 🙂
Hi Poppy, I’ve recently started following your blog, and I really love it! So I nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award 🙂 You can read more about it here: http://lepetitartichaut.com/2013/06/23/the-super-sweet-blogger-award/
Thank you so much Katie! 🙂
They look all crusty and cakey and just perfect!
Thanks Annie, they are a real treat!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Your greengage muffins look superb, Poppy!
Thank you Sophie!
I have a greengage tree and I’m always looking for new recipes to try. When my tree is in season I’ll give this recipe a go! Thanks for sharing and for liking the Citrus Slice on my blog 🙂
Oh wow, that’s amazing you have a greengage tree, you lucky girl!! 😀
I hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂