Plum Pierogi Recipe: Use Up Extra Plums

Embrace simplicity with this plum pierogi recipe. Just knead the dough, pit the plums, sprinkle some sugar, and you’re on your way to crafting delightful pierogi. It’s the perfect solution for turning an abundance of seasonal plums into a mouthwatering treat.

Plum pierogi, often overshadowed by their German counterpart, plum dumplings, offer a delightful twist on traditional recipes. The primary distinction lies in the dough: pierogi use a flour-based dough, while plum dumplings typically go with a potato-based one.

Both dishes are relatively simple to prepare. However, I’d argue that plum pierogi have a slight edge in ease of preparation. With pierogi, you sidestep the challenges of handling watery potatoes that can become sticky and tearing when attempting to encase a plum.

But if you’re on the hunt for a unique plum dish that isn’t baked, both pierogi and dumplings present excellent options to make the most of any surplus plums.

Recipe At a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of this recipe:

• Simple Dessert Pierogi. Dive into the world of sweet pierogi with this straightforward recipe. Simply knead the dough, prep the plums, and you’re set to shape your pierogi. For more variations on sweet fillings, see our guide on dessert pierogi options.
• Seasonal Delight. The quality of the plums can make or break this dish. Ensure you make these pierogi when plums are at their peak. Not only will they taste better, but they’ll also be plentiful and cheap.
• Got Extra Plums? If you find yourself with a surplus of plums, this is your solution. Prepare a larger batch of dough, make the pierogi, and freeze the extras for future enjoyment. You can also make a bunch of plum dumplings if you’re looking for variety.

For those new to making plum pierogi, read through the ingredient notes, detailed instructions, and other essential tips. The shaping method for these pierogi is slightly different from what you might be used to, so give it extra attention.

(Already familiar with the process? Feel free to skip ahead to the recipe card.)

Ingredients Notes and Substitutes

• Pierogi Dough. While I recommend my top pierogi dough recipe, feel free to use any of your favorites. Just ensure it calls for approximately 2 cups of flour so you have enough dough to wrap the plums.
• Plums. Italian prune plums or damson plums are ideal, but other varieties are suitable as well. Opt for freestone plums since you’ll need to pit them before cooking. Even larger options, like Japanese or Chinese plums, are fine, as we use half a plum for each pierogi.
• Sugar. While I typically use white sugar, brown sugar or sugar substitutes like stevia are also viable options. If you choose an alternative, adjust the quantity to match the sweetness of 1/4 teaspoon of white sugar.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the pierogi dough. Use your trusted pierogi dough recipe, or steal mine. Once the dough is ready, wrap it using plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before forming pierogi.
2. Prepare the plums. Thoroughly rinse and pat dry the plums. Halve each plum and remove the stone. Sprinkle roughly 1/4 teaspoon of sugar over each plum (or 1/8 tsp for each half). While it may seem generous, this quantity helps counteract the plum’s natural tartness. Set the sugared plum halves on a spacious plate, letting the sugar seep into the plums.

3. Divide and roll the dough. Unwrap the rested dough, split it into two or three equal parts, then roll out the first portion on a well-floured surface until thin and even. Make sure it’s thick enough to stretch a little without tearing. Keep the remaining dough wrapped to prevent drying.
4. Make pierogi. Place the sugared plum halves directly onto the rolled-out dough, leaving some space between each half. Fold the dough over the plums, ensuring each one is covered, and there’s like half an inch of dough overlap. Press the dough around each plum half (starting from the plum outwards), eliminating any air pockets. Then, using a jar, mug, or any circular object, cut out the pierogi. Ensure there’s a margin of dough around each plum half to keep the plum secure and prevent tearing. Once cut, press the edges of the pierogi to ensure they’re sealed well.

5. Transfer. Place the formed pierogi on a lightly floured surface and cover them with a damp kitchen towel to prevent sticking or drying. If pierogi are in close contact, dust touching areas with flour.
6. Boil the pierogi. Get a big pot of salted water boiling (I use one teaspoon of salt per quart). Drop in a few pierogi, give them a gentle stir, then let them float back up and simmer for 1 to 2 more minutes (maybe up to 3 to 4 minutes for larger plums).
7. Scoop and serve. Scoop them out using a slotted spoon and serve.

How to Serve

When it comes to serving Plum Pierogi, you have a few options to choose from:

1. Enjoy them as is: Plum Pierogi are great on their own, so you can serve them as they are. The filling of juicy plums wrapped in tender dough is already a delightful treat.
2. Sprinkle with powdered sugar: If the pierogi are a bit on the tart side, you can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to balance out the flavors. Just a dusting of sweetness can make a big difference.
3. Serve with browned butter and breadcrumbs: This is a classic Polish way to enjoy pierogi. Start by melting and warming up butter on the stove, then add a couple of teaspoons of breadcrumbs. Cook until both the butter and breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Pour this delicious mixture over the pierogi for a richer twist. To make it sweeter, add a bit of sugar to the mixture.
4. Explore other sweet toppings: If you’re feeling adventurous, try different toppings that work well with sweet pierogi. For more inspiration, check out my article on pierogi toppings.
5. Pan-fry for extra flavor: For an extra crispy and golden touch, you can pan-fry the pierogi. Simply grab a non-stick skillet, melt a knob of butter or a bit of oil, and cook the pierogi for a few minutes on each side until they become crispy and turn a beautiful golden brown. The added crispiness enhances the texture and takes the pierogi to a whole new level of deliciousness. For a more detailed description, check out the section on reheating.

Storage

To store Plum Pierogi, follow these simple steps:

1. Dry the pierogi. After cooking the pierogi, lay them out on large plates. Give them 10 to 20 minutes to dry a bit on one side, then flip them over and let them dry for another 10 to 15 minutes. This ensures that both sides are nice and dry, preventing them from sticking to each other in the storage container.
2. Pack into an airtight container. Once the pierogi are dry, pack them up into an airtight container. It’s important to place them in a single layer and avoid crowding them. If you have to stack them, put some plastic wrap between the layers to prevent sticking.
3. Refrigerate. You can store the plum pierogi in the fridge if you plan to eat them within three to four days. Just place the airtight container in the refrigerator, and they will stay fresh and ready.
4. Freezing Option: If you’ve made a whole bunch of pierogi and want to save them for later, you can freeze them. Check out my guide to freezing pierogi for more info.

How to Reheat

To reheat your delicious plum pierogi, the best method is to pan-fry them. Here’s a short step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Grab a skillet: Start by placing a non-stick skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.
2. Add some fat: Next, add a knob of butter or a bit of oil to the skillet. Make sure it covers the base of the pan. You can use either butter or oil, depending on your preference.
3. Warm the fat: Allow the butter or oil to warm up in the skillet until it’s ready for cooking.
4. Lay the pierogi: Once the fat is heated, carefully lay the plum pierogi into the pan. Be mindful not to overcrowd the skillet, which may affect the cooking process.
5. Cook on one side: Let the pierogi cook for approximately four to six minutes on one side. You want them to become nice and golden brown and crispy.
6. Flip and cook on the other side: Once the first side is nicely browned, flip the pierogi over using a spatula. Cook them for another four to six minutes on the other side.
7. Ready to serve: Once the plum pierogi are cooked on both sides and have that beautiful golden brown color, they are ready to be served and enjoyed!

Plum Pierogi

Embrace simplicity with this plum pierogi recipe. Just knead the dough, pit the plums, sprinkle some sugar, and you’re on your way to crafting delightful pierogi. It’s the perfect solution for turning an abundance of seasonal plums into a mouthwatering treat.

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Prep Time:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

• Pierogi dough
• 12 – 15 plums 16 to 20 oz or 450 to 550g
• Sugar
• Salt for cooking

Instructions

• Dough: Prepare your pierogi dough (or use [link]). Wrap in plastic and rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
• Plums: Wash, halve, and pit plums. Sprinkle each half with 1/8 tsp sugar and set aside on a plate.
• Roll Dough: Divide dough into 2-3 parts. Roll out one portion on a floured surface until thin but stretchable.
• Form Pierogi: Place sugared plum halves on dough. Fold dough over plums, press to seal, and cut with a jar or mug.
• Transfer: Place pierogi on a floured surface and cover with a damp towel. Dust any touching areas with flour.
• Boil: In salted boiling water (1 tsp salt/quart), cook pierogi until they float, then simmer for an additional 1-3 minutes.
• Serve: Remove with a slotted spoon and enjoy!

Servings: 3

Author: Marcin Skrzypiec