Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam: The Taste of Autumn in a Jar

Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam is a rich, fruity preserve made with succulent plums, warming ginger and aromatic cinnamon. It captures the essence of autumn in every spoonful, and it's one of the most versatile jars in our range: as good in baking and savoury cooking as it is on toast.

There's something wonderfully comforting about plums, ginger and cinnamon together. The flavours bring to mind autumn hedgerows, cosy kitchens and the changing seasons. Here we explain what gives this jam its character, then share two unusual recipes to try as the evenings draw in.

Key Takeaways

• Made with succulent plums, warming ginger and aromatic cinnamon.

• Rich and fruity, with a gentle spice that makes it feel familiar and indulgent at the same time.

• Lovely on toast or crumpets, and right at home at an autumn afternoon tea.

• One of the most versatile jars in our range, suited to baking, desserts and savoury dishes.

• Try it in Camembert filo parcels or as a glaze for sticky pork ribs.

What does Spiced Plum Jam taste like?

Spiced Plum Jam tastes rich and fruity, with a gentle warmth from the spice. The natural sweetness of the plums comes through first, then the ginger adds a subtle warmth and the cinnamon brings its own gentle sweetness and spice.

Those ingredients come together in perfect harmony. The result is a preserve that feels both familiar and wonderfully indulgent: you recognise it straight away as plum jam, with a little more going on underneath.

Why do plums make such good jam?

Plums make excellent jam because of their deep flavour and natural tartness. That tartness keeps the finished jam from tasting simply sweet, which is one reason plums have long been a favourite fruit in British preserves.

Our range reflects that long tradition. Alongside this spiced version, we make a Victoria Plum Preserve and a Damson Plum Preserve, and it's well worth tasting them side by side to see how different each plum can be. You'll find them all in our Jam & Preserves collection.

What do ginger and cinnamon add to plum jam?

Ginger introduces a subtle warmth, while cinnamon contributes a gentle sweetness and spice that complements the fruit beautifully. Together they enhance the natural sweetness of the plums rather than covering it up.

It's the same flavour family you'd expect in autumn baking, which is why this jam feels so at home once the weather turns. As the evenings draw in and temperatures begin to fall, it's the sort of preserve that belongs on the breakfast table or beside a roaring fire with afternoon tea.

How can you use Spiced Plum Jam beyond toast?

Many customers enjoy Spiced Plum Jam simply spread on toast or crumpets, but its warming spices make it particularly suited to baking, desserts and even savoury dishes. That range is what makes it one of the most versatile preserves we make.

• Breakfast and afternoon tea: on hot buttered toast or crumpets on a cold morning, or with tea by the fire.

• Cheese: fruity, spiced and rich, it's a natural partner for melted or creamy cheeses, as the Camembert recipe below shows.

• Savoury cooking: mixed with soy sauce and smoked paprika, it becomes a sticky glaze for pork.

• Baking and desserts: the warming spices suit autumn bakes and puddings, so try it wherever you'd normally reach for a plain jam.

If you're building an autumn cheeseboard, pair it with a jar from our Fruit for Cheese collection and read our guide to what pairs best with Balsamic Fig Jam for more ideas.

What flavours go well with spiced plum jam?

Spiced plum jam goes best with rich, savoury and nutty flavours that can stand up to its fruit and spice. Pork, soft rinded cheeses such as Camembert, walnuts, soy sauce and smoked paprika all work well, as do the simple classics of butter, toast and crumpets.

The reason is balance. The jam brings sweetness, fruit and warmth, so it shines next to something fatty or salty that it can cut through. That's exactly what happens in both recipes below: melted Camembert and walnuts in one, rich pork with salty soy and smoky paprika in the other.

Once you've tried those, it's easy to improvise. Anywhere a sweet, fruity note would lift a rich dish, a spoonful of Spiced Plum Jam is worth a go.

Two unusual Spiced Plum Jam recipes

If you're looking for inspiration, these two recipes show how far a jar can go. One is a showstopper for entertaining. The other is a slow-roasted family dinner.

Spiced Plum Jam and Camembert Filo Parcels

A whole Camembert wrapped in crisp filo, with jam and walnuts melting into the cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 Camembert

• 4 tbsp Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam

• 6 sheets filo pastry

• 50g melted butter

• Handful of chopped walnuts

Method

1. Heat the oven to 190°C.

2. Layer the filo pastry sheets, brushing each one with melted butter.

3. Place the Camembert in the centre and top generously with the Spiced Plum Jam and walnuts.

4. Wrap the pastry around the cheese.

5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and crisp.

6. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

The rich melted cheese, fruity plums and warming spices create a spectacular centrepiece for entertaining.

Cook's tip: filo dries out quickly, so keep the sheets you're not using covered with a clean, damp tea towel while you work.

Spiced Plum Jam Sticky Ribs

Three store cupboard ingredients and a jar of jam turn pork ribs into a sticky, glossy dinner.

Ingredients

• 1kg pork ribs

• 4 tbsp Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170°C.

2. Mix the jam, soy sauce and smoked paprika to make a glaze.

3. Coat the ribs generously with the glaze.

4. Roast for approximately 90 minutes, brushing with extra glaze during cooking.

The plums caramelise beautifully, while the ginger and cinnamon add a subtle complexity that works wonderfully with the rich pork.

Cook's tip: set aside some of the glaze in a separate bowl before coating the raw ribs, and use that for brushing during cooking. That way the brush never goes back into glaze that has touched raw meat.

Spiced plum jam FAQs

What is spiced plum jam made with?

Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam is made with succulent plums, warming ginger and aromatic cinnamon. The plums give natural sweetness and gentle tartness, the ginger adds subtle warmth, and the cinnamon brings sweetness and spice.

Is spiced plum jam hot?

It's gently warming rather than hot. The ginger adds a subtle warmth and the cinnamon a gentle sweetness and spice, so the flavour of the plums stays at the centre of every spoonful.

What can you eat with spiced plum jam?

Spread it on toast or crumpets, serve it with cheese, use it in baking and desserts, or mix it into a glaze for pork. It suits breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner equally well.

Does spiced plum jam go with cheese?

Yes. It's delicious baked with Camembert in filo pastry with chopped walnuts, and its fruit and spice make it a good partner for rich, creamy cheeses on an autumn cheeseboard.

Can you use spiced plum jam as a glaze?

Yes. Mix 4 tablespoons of jam with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, coat pork ribs and roast at 170°C for about 90 minutes, brushing with extra glaze as they cook.

Should spiced plum jam be kept in the fridge after opening?

Once opened, we recommend keeping it in the fridge and using a clean spoon each time. Our guide to keeping jam in the fridge after opening explains more.

Where can I buy Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam?

You can order Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam online (listed in our shop as Spiced Plum Preserve, 270g), find it at one of our stockists across the UK, or visit our stall at farmers' markets and food festivals.

Autumn in a jar, from breakfast to dinner

Whether it's paired with cheese, baked into something sweet or used in savoury cooking, Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam offers something truly special. Rich fruit, warming spice and traditional craftsmanship combine in a preserve that's equally suited to breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. It is quite simply autumn in a jar.

Buy Dauntsey Spiced Plum Jam online, or explore our best-selling jams and preserves for more seasonal favourites.