Persimmons are a delightful autumn fruit that add natural sweetness and vibrant color to any dessert. If you’ve never baked with persimmons before, persimmon bars are the perfect introduction!
These bars combine the luscious, tender texture of ripe persimmons with warm spices and a crumbly, buttery crust, creating a treat that’s both comforting and refreshing. Whether you’re looking for a unique dessert to impress guests or a cozy snack to enjoy with your afternoon tea, this persimmon bar recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through every step of making these delicious bars, share tips to perfect your baking, and suggest variations to suit your taste. By the end, you’ll have a batch of rich, moist bars bursting with the sweet, mellow flavor of persimmons, balanced by a lovely spiced crust.
Ready to bake? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something truly special about persimmon bars that makes them stand out from your typical dessert bars. First, they celebrate the natural sweetness and unique flavor of persimmons, which is unlike any other fruit.
The soft, jammy persimmon filling pairs beautifully with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crust, offering a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
This recipe is incredibly versatile and easy to follow, ideal for both novice and seasoned bakers. It uses simple pantry ingredients and fresh persimmons, making it accessible and budget-friendly.
Plus, these bars keep well and even taste better the next day, making them perfect for meal prep or gifting during the holidays.
Finally, if you enjoy exploring vegan and vegetarian baking, be sure to check out some of my other favorites like the Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or the Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals for more inspiration.
Ingredients
- 1 cup persimmon pulp (from about 2-3 ripe Hachiya persimmons)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Food processor or blender (optional, for persimmon pulp)
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Prepare the persimmon pulp. Start by washing your ripe Hachiya persimmons. Cut off the tops and scoop out the soft flesh into a bowl. Use a food processor or blender to puree it until smooth if desired. Measure out 1 cup of pulp for the recipe.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures an even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine persimmon pulp with wet ingredients. Gently fold the persimmon pulp into the wet mixture until combined.
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Stop once the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Fold in nuts (optional). If using, gently stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread the batter evenly with a spatula, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely. Remove from oven and let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired and cut into bars.
- Serve and enjoy! These bars are excellent at room temperature or slightly warmed with a cup of tea or coffee.
Tips & Variations
Use fully ripe Hachiya persimmons for the best flavor and texture. Unripe persimmons can be astringent and bitter.
If you want to make these persimmon bars vegan, substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg, let sit for 5 minutes).
For a gluten-free option, try substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. You may need to slightly adjust the baking time.
To add extra flavor, consider mixing in 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries, or swap the nuts for toasted pecans. A drizzle of cream cheese glaze on top after baking also pairs wonderfully with the spiced persimmon filling.
Looking for more creative plant-based dessert ideas? Check out the Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix Vegan Recipe Made Easy or the Chocolate Banana Smoothie Recipe Vegan: Easy & Delicious for tasty inspiration.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 18g |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
Serving Suggestions
Persimmon bars are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
They also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea or coffee, making them a perfect afternoon treat.
For a festive touch, sprinkle some extra cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving, or drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. These bars also make great gifts—wrap them in parchment and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade present.
If you love fresh, healthy plant-based meals, you might also enjoy the Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas or the Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food for delicious meal pairings.
Conclusion
Persimmon bars are a wonderfully unique and flavorful treat that highlight the natural sweetness of one of autumn’s most underrated fruits. With their soft, spiced filling and buttery crust, they’re perfect for cozying up on a chilly day or impressing friends at your next gathering.
This recipe is approachable, adaptable, and guaranteed to please both persimmon lovers and newbies alike.
Whether you bake them as a simple snack or dress them up with toppings, you’ll find these bars become a cherished part of your seasonal baking repertoire. Don’t forget to experiment with the variations and share your creations with loved ones.
For more delicious recipes that keep your kitchen inspired, explore other favorites like the 400 Calorie Vegetarian Dinner Recipe Ideas for Healthy Meals or the Budget Bytes Recipe Thai Noodles Vegetarian and Delicious.
Happy baking!
📖 Recipe Card: Persimmon Bar Recipe
Description: These persimmon bars are moist and flavorful with a hint of warm spices. Perfect for a cozy dessert or snack.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT60M
Servings: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup persimmon pulp
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×9 inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, mix persimmon pulp, sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until combined.
- Fold in walnuts if using.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 10 g | Carbs: 30 g
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