Magical Sugar Plums Recipe for a Sweet Holiday Treat

Magical sugar plums dance with nostalgia, whisking you into a world of sweet childhood memories.

Delicate morsels sparkle like edible jewels, promising pure delight in every bite.

Traditional holiday treats emerge from generations of culinary wisdom, blending simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Generations have cherished these tiny confections, passing down secrets from grandmothers to eager kitchen apprentices.

Rolling these delectable morsels by hand, infusing each one with love and festive spirit.

Nuts, dried fruits, and a touch of spice combine to create something truly enchanting.

You’ll find these sugar plums transport you instantly to cozy winter evenings filled with warmth and joy.

Grab your apron and let the festive magic begin!

Why Sugar Plums Are A Classic Holiday Treat

• Effortless Festive Treat: Sugar plums are incredibly simple to make, requiring no baking and minimal kitchen equipment like a food processor or just a sharp knife.
• Nutrient-Packed Snack: Packed with dried fruits and nuts, these little delights offer a powerhouse of natural energy, healthy fats, and sweet flavors without added refined sugars.
• Versatile Holiday Favorite: Perfect for Christmas traditions, gifting, or enjoying as a quick no-cook dessert that connects you to classic winter confectionery with minimal preparation time.
• Texture Sensation: Combining crunchy nuts with chewy dried fruits creates a delightful mouthfeel that keeps each bite interesting and satisfyingly complex.

Ingredients Needed For Sugar Plums

• Dried Plums, Dried Apricots, Almonds, Walnuts: A classic mixture of sweet and nutty ingredients that provide rich flavor, natural sweetness, and delightful texture to the sugar plums. Choose organic, unsweetened dried fruits for the best taste and health benefits. Nuts add crunch and depth to the recipe.

How To Roll Sugar Plums With Ease

Step 1: Prepare Dried Fruits and Nuts

• Dried plums
• Dried apricots
• Almonds
• Walnuts

Using a food processor, pulse the dried fruits and nuts until they are finely chopped. The texture should be small and crumbly, but not completely smooth. If you don’t have a food processor, carefully chop the ingredients into tiny pieces using a sharp knife. The goal is to create a mixture that will hold together when rolled.

Step 2: Create Flavor Blend

• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Orange zest

Mix these spices and zest thoroughly into the chopped fruit and nut blend. The aromatic spices will give the sugar plums their classic holiday warmth and depth of flavor. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed, creating a fragrant and cohesive mixture.

Step 3: Bind the Mixture

Introduce honey or maple syrup to help the ingredients stick together. Slowly add the liquid sweetener, mixing continuously until the mixture becomes sticky enough to form into small balls. The consistency should be just moist enough to hold its shape when pressed together.

Step 4: Shape Sugar Plums

Use your hands to roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls. Each sugar plum should be about the size of a large marble or a small truffle. Work gently and consistently to create uniform shapes.

Step 5: Add Final Coating

Roll each sugar plum in powdered sugar or finely ground coconut. This outer layer adds a beautiful finish and prevents the treats from sticking together. Gently rotate each ball to ensure an even, light coating.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Place the sugar plums on a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to help them firm up. These festive treats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making them perfect for holiday gifting or snacking.

Tips For Sweet And Spiced Sugar Plums

• Precise Chopping Technique: Use a food processor to quickly and evenly chop dried fruits and nuts, ensuring a consistent texture without over-processing.
• Knife Alternative: If a food processor isn't available, carefully chop ingredients by hand, maintaining small, uniform pieces for the best sugar plum mixture.
• Moisture Management: Pat dried fruits dry before chopping to prevent clumping and ensure a cleaner, more even mixture.
• Texture Tip: Pulse ingredients in short bursts to control the consistency, avoiding a mushy or overly fine texture that can make sugar plums too dense.
• Storage Savvy: Store prepared sugar plums in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

How To Store Sugar Plums The Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store sugar plums in an airtight container for up to one week, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture from affecting their texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual sugar plums in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container to preserve for up to three months without losing flavor.
• Thaw Carefully: Remove frozen sugar plums from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing them to soften gently.
• Room Temperature: When serving at gatherings, keep sugar plums in a cool, dry place for up to two days, ensuring they maintain their delightful consistency and taste.

What Goes Great With Sugar Plums

• Blend Festive Flavors with Mulled Wine: The warm, spiced notes of mulled wine complement the sweet, nutty profile of sugar plums perfectly. Its hint of cinnamon and orange zest will elevate the dried fruit and nut combination, creating a cozy winter treat.
• Pair with Creamy Mascarpone: The rich, smooth texture of mascarpone cheese offers a delightful contrast to the dense, chewy sugar plums. Spread a thin layer on the sugar plums for a luxurious bite that balances sweetness and creaminess.
• Match with Aged Port: A glass of vintage port wine brings out the deep, complex flavors of the dried fruits and nuts. Its rich, slightly sweet character enhances the nutty undertones of the sugar plums, making for an elegant dessert pairing.
• Serve Alongside Dark Chocolate: Break pieces of high-quality dark chocolate to enjoy with sugar plums. The bittersweet chocolate intensifies the natural sweetness of the dried fruits while adding a sophisticated layer of flavor.

Flavor Twists For Sugar Plums

• Classic Holiday Blend: Mix in dried cranberries and a pinch of cinnamon for a festive winter flavor profile that adds warmth and depth to the traditional sugar plum recipe.
• Nutty Mediterranean Variation: Replace walnuts with pistachios and add orange zest for a bright, aromatic take that introduces a Mediterranean-inspired essence to the original treat.
• Chocolate Lover's Version: Incorporate mini dark chocolate chips and roll the finished sugar plums in cocoa powder for a rich, decadent transformation that enhances the existing nutty base.
• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Swap some dried plums with dried mango or pineapple pieces and sprinkle shredded coconut during rolling to create an unexpected tropical spin on the classic confection.

FAQs About Sugar Plums

• What exactly are sugar plums?

Despite the name, sugar plums aren’t actually plums but sweet confections made from dried fruits, nuts, and spices, traditionally associated with holiday treats.

• Do sugar plums contain actual sugar?

Traditional sugar plums use honey or powdered sugar as a binder, creating a naturally sweet treat without refined white sugar. The sweetness comes primarily from dried fruits.

• Are sugar plums healthy?

Sugar plums are relatively nutritious, packed with nuts and dried fruits that provide protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. They’re a better alternative to processed candy and offer natural energy.

• Can kids help make sugar plums?

Absolutely! Kids can easily roll the mixture into balls and coat them in powdered sugar or coconut, making it a fun family cooking activity that doesn’t require using a hot stove.

Sugar Plums Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet sugar plums dance with nostalgic Christmas charm, bringing festive memories to life. Nutty, fruity, and elegantly spiced, these traditional treats offer delightful warmth you’ll savor with pure holiday joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dried Fruits:

• 1 cup (150 g/5.3 ounces) dried plums (prunes), chopped
• 1 cup (150 g/5.3 ounces) dried apricots, chopped

Nuts:

• ½ cup (75 g/2.6 ounces) almonds, finely chopped
• ½ cup (75 g/2.6 ounces) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped

Spices and Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fluid ounces) honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ cup (50 g/1.8 ounces) granulated sugar (for coating)

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Instructions

1. Combine dried plums, apricots, almonds, and walnuts in a food processor, creating a uniformly chopped mixture with a slightly textured consistency.
2. If a food processor is unavailable, carefully mince the ingredients using a sharp knife, ensuring each component is cut into small, even pieces.
3. Transfer the chopped mixture to a spacious mixing bowl, preparing for the next stage of preparation.
4. Gradually incorporate honey and orange zest into the nut and fruit blend, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
5. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg over the mixture, gently folding to integrate the warm spices completely.
6. Roll the fragrant mixture between your palms, forming small, compact spheres approximately the size of a large marble.
7. Generously coat each sugar plum by rolling them in fine powdered sugar, ensuring a complete and even coverage.
8. Arrange the finished sugar plums on a parchment-lined tray, allowing them to set and develop a delicate, sugary exterior.
9. Refrigerate the confections for approximately 30 minutes to help them firm up and enhance their delightful texture.
10. Store the sugar plums in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Notes

• Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Ensure dried fruits are pitted and free from any stems or hard bits before processing to maintain a smooth texture.
• Use a quick pulse method in the food processor to control the consistency, preventing the mixture from becoming too pasty or losing its chunky texture.
• For dietary variations, swap nuts with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for nut-free versions, or use alternative dried fruits based on personal preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg