Grilled Plums with Mascarpone | Easy Summer Dessert
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Grilled Plums with Mascarpone become even sweeter after cooking for few minutes. The heat caramelizes the fruit, creating soft, juicy plums with lightly charred edges that pair perfectly with rich mascarpone cheese. Finished with honey and crunchy pistachios, this simple dessert looks elegant but takes only minutes to make.
Grilled Plums with Mascarpone
This recipe is perfect for cookouts and summer dinners. It’s light enough for warm weather and delicious for entertaining.
I want to challenge you to enjoy fresh fruit that’s not baked in high-fat and sugar. Fresh fruit, especially in-season fruit, is exceptional. Simply prepared like my Grilled Plums with Mascarpone can satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s easy to prepare and is refreshingly healthy.
Grilled desserts are about keeping it simple. When summer fruits, plums, peaches, etc, are in their prime, they don’t need dressing up with sugar and
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 15 minutes.
- Only a handful of simple ingredients.
- Naturally beautiful with very little effort.
- Great for backyard cookouts and dinner parties.
- A wonderful way to use fresh summer plums.
- Easy to customize with your favorite nuts, fruit, or honey.
What Does Grilling Do to Plums?
Plums grill nicely. The natural sugars caramelize and the fruit, warmed gently, becomes soft and luscious.
The slight smokiness from the grill balances the creamy mascarpone and sweet honey, making every bite rich without feeling heavy.
Ingredients
A few ingredients are all grilled plums need. Dressed lightly with mascarpone, it adds a nice creamy element to the sweet, tart plums. I sprinkled crushed pistachios for crunch. Finally, a drizzle of honey or Balsamic Reduction.
- Fresh ripe plums
- Mascarpone cheese
- Honey
- Vanilla extract
- Chopped pistachios or almonds
- Fresh mint (optional)
How to Make Grilled Plums with Mascarpone
- Heat the grill to medium-high.
- Slice the plums in half and remove the pits.
- Grill cut-side down for 3 to 4 minutes until grill marks appear.
- Turn and cook another minute.
- Mix mascarpone with vanilla and a drizzle of honey.
- Spoon mascarpone onto a serving platter or individual plates.
- Top with warm grilled plums.
- Finish with more honey, chopped pistachios, and fresh mint.
- You can make balsamic reduction recipe OR purchase balsamic reduction.
Popular Ways to Prepare Mascarpone and Plums
Fresh plums and mascarpone are delicious together in several different ways. Here are a few easy variations to enjoy throughout plum season.
Baked
Roast halved plums with a little honey and
Grilled
Warm fresh plum halves on a hot grill until lightly caramelized. Top with honey-sweetened mascarpone and sprinkle with crushed pistachios or sliced almonds for added crunch.
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Caramelized
Cook sliced plums quickly in a skillet with
Tips for the Best Grilled Plums
- Choose ripe plums that are still slightly firm.
- Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overcook or the fruit can become too soft.
- Serve immediately while the plums are still warm.
- Try peaches, nectarines, or apricots using the same method.
Variations
Switch up this recipe with simple additions.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Use toasted pecans or walnuts.
- Add granola for crunch.
- Finish with flaky sea salt.
- Top with fresh basil instead of mint.
Storage
Grilled plums are best served fresh.
If needed, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. Store the mascarpone separately for the best texture.
Grilled Plums with Mascarpone FAQ
Yes. A grill pan or cast iron skillet works well and still creates caramelized edges.
You can mix the mascarpone several hours ahead and refrigerate it. Grill the plums just before serving.
Peaches, nectarines, apricots, and fresh figs are all excellent substitutes.
No. Mascarpone has a richer texture and milder flavor than cream cheese, making it perfect for fruit desserts.
Look for fruit that gives slightly when gently squeezed but is not mushy.
What to Serve with Grilled Plums
This dessert pairs well with:
- Mile High Pound Cake
- Angel food cake
- Pecan Sandies
- Vanilla bean ice cream
- Sparkling rosé
- Fresh whipped cream
Recipe Tips for Success
- Use seasonal plums for the sweetest flavor.
- Let mascarpone soften for 15 minutes before mixing.
- Warm honey slightly if it’s thick.
- Grill over medium-high heat for the best caramelization.
- Finish with fresh herbs for color and freshness.
Grilled Plums with Mascarpone Final Thoughts
Grilled Plums with Mascarpone is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients can create an impressive dessert. The warm fruit, creamy mascarpone, crunchy pistachios, and drizzle of honey come together in minutes, making it ideal for summer entertaining or an easy weeknight treat.
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Grilled Peach Bruschetta
- Peach Bruschetta
- Charcuterie Board
- Muddy Buddy Bars
- Lemon Curd Fluff Bars
- Oatmeal Caramel Crush Bars
- Caramel Chocolate Mud Hen Bars
- Pecan Pie Magic Cookie Bars
- Graham Cracker Blondies
Grilled Plums with Mascarpone
Items in blue & underlined below can be clicked for more detail or to purchase.
Ingredients
- 8 medium plums
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup pistachios chopped
- ¼ cup balsamic reduction or honey
Instructions
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Cut the plum in half and remove the seed.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place all the plums, cut side down, on the grill for about 10 minutes, until softened. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes.8 medium plums
- In a small bowl, mix mascarpone and honey. Lay th eplums cut side up on a serving platter and add a dollop of mascarpone to each plum.4 ounces mascarpone cheese
- Drizzle over balsamic reduction or honey and finish with a sprinkle of pistachios¼ cup balsamic reduction, ¼ cup pistachios
Notes
🔀Substitutions
- You can sub maple syrup, powdered sugar, or agave syrup for the honey.
- You can sub almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or any nut for the pistachios.
- You can drizzle date syrup, maple syrup, or agave for the balsamic reduction.
I love how simple and easy this recipe is. Instructions are clearly stated, turned out to be delicious. Highly recommended!
I love a dessert recipe with no added sugar! I don’t know if my favorite part was the grilled plums, the balsamic or the mascarpone, or maybe just all of it together, but it really works.
As a BIG plum fan I was delighted to come across this recipe and it didn’t disappoint, the mascarpone was wonderful with them – I’ll be making this again!
Can I make this ahead time and serve at a party or does it have to be right off grill
You can make them beforehand if you don’t mind them not being warm. I ate some of these the next day and they were still good.
Wow, this sounds amazing! Thanks for linking to Thursday Food Fest. Sarah
omg, this looks amazing, can't wait to try it myself! i just had a braised peach pizza with applewood smoked bacon and maple infused mascarpone – love these flavors together!
Wow! This looks A-mazing! I can't wait to try this.. I just love anything plum! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. I am your newest follower~
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Another great recipe from Paula! I bet this would be good grilled. There something about grilled fruit. I just love it! Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays!
Julie
Oh yummm!