I used to think persimmons were just those pretty fall fruits with little fork and spoon shapes hiding inside. Then I fell down the most delicious rabbit hole, and now I have ten incredible persimmon recipes to share with you. They span sweet and spiced to savory and creamy, and these are the very best ways to enjoy this sunny orange gem.
1. Crockpot Persimmon Applesauce
If you're the kind of person who loves all the fun applesauce flavors out there, you have to try making your own persimmon applesauce. You only need five ingredients: apples, persimmons, lemon juice, vanilla, and water.
It takes about 10 minutes to get everything into the Crockpot, and then you just let it work its magic for a few hours. What you end up with is the sweetest, most flavorful applesauce I've ever tasted.
2. Persimmon Pudding
Persimmon pudding is more like a luscious bread pudding than anything you'd eat with a spoon from a cup. The flavor is wonderfully unique: you get hints of honey straight from the persimmons, plus fruit and vanilla, with a touch of cinnamon.
The edges get all crispy, but the middle stays soft and unbelievably moist. Every bite is a cozy little miracle.
3. Autumn Salad With Persimmons and Apples
Sure, persimmons are stars in desserts and baked goods, but this autumn salad is simply stunning and I couldn't leave it off my list. Fresh spinach makes the most gorgeous green backdrop for the orange persimmons, ruby pomegranate arils, pale pumpkin seeds, and creamy goat cheese.
It's a perfect mix of sweet and fresh flavors with a tangy kick that wakes up your taste buds. This salad is a full on celebration on a plate.
4. Persimmon Risotto With Pancetta and Goat Cheese
For a savory twist, this persimmon risotto with pancetta and goat cheese is everything. It's rich and satisfying, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
A weeknight miracle. The risotto base is mellow and creamy, but then the shallot, persimmon, and goat cheese hit you with a burst of fresh, sweet flavor and a tangy kick. It's the kind of dish that feels fancy without any fuss.
5. Easy Persimmon Crumble Pie
This easy persimmon crumble pie comes together in just 5 minutes of prep, and you only need nine ingredients. The crust is buttery and crumbly, while the persimmons turn soft and honey sweet alongside apples that are sweet with a tiny tart edge.
Serve it hot with a big dollop of whipped cream on top. Yummy. It's the simplest kind of cozy.
6. Easy Spiced Persimmon Muffins
These easy spiced persimmon muffins are the ones that made me fall head over heels for persimmon baking. They look like ordinary muffins, but the mix of persimmon sweetness and brown sugar, with the warmth of cinnamon and ginger, is something else entirely.
I keep trying to describe them, but the best I can do is say they're like little spice cakes in muffin shape, and even that doesn't fully capture it. What I do know: they are phenomenal. You have to try them.
7. Cardamom and Persimmon Cobbler
If you have Southern roots or have spent time down South, you know that cobbler is the dessert of choice. Cobblers are all about warm, crunchy yet tender crusts and bursts of sweet tangy fruit, with rich gooey sauces that come from melted fruit and sugar.
This version uses persimmons and whole green cardamom pods for a fragrant twist. It's the best kind of comfort, spooned straight from the dish.
8. Persimmon Cookies
These persimmon cookies are my go to for fall and winter gatherings. They look so festive with that pretty glaze, and the flavor is incredible.
Each cookie is soft and moist, with the gentle honey sweetness from the persimmons and a little tang from the raisins. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves give a warm tingle that I can't get enough of. I could eat a whole batch by myself.
9. Persimmon Jam
I don't know why persimmon jam isn't on everyone's canning list, because it's an absolute gem. The color is this gorgeous golden orange, and the texture lands somewhere between applesauce and jelly.
It's pleasantly sweet, perfect for slathering on toast and swirling into cakes, pies, and tarts. Once you try it, you'll want a jar of this sunshine on your shelf all year long.
10. Persimmon Bread
Persimmon bread is sweet, beautifully spiced, and reminds me of classic banana nut bread. You just swap those overripe bananas for perfectly soft persimmons.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves fill the kitchen with that cozy winter aroma that makes you want to pull on a sweater and curl up by the fire. The loaf bakes up dense and crumbly, and the persimmon pieces on top make each slice so gorgeous.