Here are the 3 tips to know for a successful plum pie without the fruit soaking the dough

August is plum season! Reine-Claude, mirabelle plum, quetsche, there is plenty to choose from. It is a fruit that can easily be cooked in jam, cakes and of course in pies… Only here, like the peach, the plum contains a lot of water that it will release during cooking. Here are three essential tips to help you make a tasty pie where the dough stays crisp despite the juicy fruit.

The first crucial step in ensuring the success of your plum pie is to pre-bake the dough. This preliminary step creates a protective barrier between the fruit and the dough, preventing any unwanted soaking. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C in convection mode or 200°C in static mode.
2. Place the dough in the pie pan.
3. Prick the bottom of the dough lightly with a fork. Place a sheet of parchment paper on your dough and cover it with a weight.
4. Bake the dough for 10 minutes.

To control the moisture released by juicy plums, it’s a good idea to add protective layers to your pie. Here are two options that work very well and even bring greediness:

Sprinkle a thin layer of ground almonds, bread or brioche crumbs, or semolina on the bottom of the dough before adding the plums. These ingredients will absorb excess moisture and add delicious texture to the pie.

Apply a thin layer of melted chocolate (preferably white chocolate) on the bottom of the dough. This chocolate barrier will act as a shield against fruit moisture. This technique is called “chablonner”.

Your choice of how to bake the plums can also influence the moisture content of your pie. Here are two options for preparing your plums before adding them to the batter:

Lightly pre-cook the plums: If you lightly cook the plums before arranging them on the dough, you can reduce their moisture content. This can be done by cooking them over low heat for a few minutes until they begin to release some liquid.

Drain the plums: If your plums are particularly juicy, you might consider draining them lightly on paper towels before arranging them on the batter.

By combining these tips, you will have all the cards in hand to create a plum pie that will impress your guests.