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Festive Sugar Plums

Featured in Sweet Treats Worth the Calories.

Mix dried fruits, spiced nuts, and citrus with brandy, then roll in sugar for a no-bake holiday classic.
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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:30:33 GMT
Four sugar-coated treats on a plate with bits of fruit and cardamom pods, plus an orange behind them. Pin it
Four sugar-coated treats on a plate with bits of fruit and cardamom pods, plus an orange behind them. | cookwithtaste.com

I've grown so attached to creating these adorable sugar plums for the holidays. They take me back to childhood tales featuring sugarplums dancing in kids' heads. The true wonder unfolds when you mix dried fruits with nuts and cozy spices to make these cute little bites. I'm crazy about how they add that old-fashioned Victorian charm to my current holiday get-togethers.

A Nostalgic Flavor Journey

These goodies have an interesting backstory reaching all the way to Victorian days. I can't help picturing them showcased at fancy holiday meals hundreds of years ago. These days I serve my sugar plums at everything from small hangouts to big holiday bashes. The special mix of natural sweetness with subtle spices always gets my guests talking.

Your Ingredient List

  • Dried Fruit: Prunes, dates, or figs to create natural sweetness and binding. Let them soak in orange juice for extra juiciness.
  • Nuts: Finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or whatever mix you like, lightly toasted.
  • Spices: Festive flavors such as nutmeg or cinnamon to boost the holiday taste.
  • Orange Juice and Zest: Brings freshness and works well with the dried fruits.
  • Rum or Brandy (optional): Just a tiny bit for extra richness and flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Used for coating, adding crunch and shimmer.

Creating Sweet Wonders

Get Everything Ready
Heat nuts with spices in a pan until they smell good. Soften dried fruit by soaking it in orange juice.
Mix It All Together
Put your toasted nuts and softened fruit into a strong food processor. Mix until you get a thick, sticky mixture.
Form and Roll
Make small plum-sized balls from the mixture, then roll them in granulated sugar for a pretty finish.
Rest and Enjoy
Keep in the fridge for a couple days so flavors can mingle, then enjoy or store in a sealed container.

Add Your Personal Touch

I enjoy trying different fruit and nut combos in my sugar plums. Sometimes I'll swap figs for raisins or try a different alcohol for more flavor. My top trick is rolling them in bright colored sugar so they look like tiny gems.

Helpful Hints

I've noticed that premium soft dried fruits really make these shine. Don't skip soaking them first for the right consistency. You'll need a powerful food processor since this mix gets super sticky. I love making fancy sugar coating by mixing regular sugar with a drop of food coloring in a plastic bag.

Storage Smarts

I always let my sugar plums chill in the fridge for several days before eating them so the flavors can really come together. They'll stay good for around a month, which means you can make them way before the holiday rush hits.

What Makes Them Special

These sugar plums offer such a nice break from today's candy options. They're easy to whip up but look so fancy. Whenever I bring them out, people are drawn to their old-fashioned appeal. It feels good keeping this lovely tradition going in my home.

Great Companions

These sugar plums taste amazing with a hot mug of spiced tea or warm mulled wine. They work great on cheese boards too, adding just the right sweet touch. I really like how they fit in anywhere from casual coffee dates to dressy holiday celebrations.

Spread The Happiness

Sugar plums make wonderful gifts for friends. I pack them in cute tins or transparent bags with holiday ribbons. Since they don't go bad quickly, they're ideal for giving to neighbors and loved ones all season long. Homemade treats like these always bring smiles.

A close-up of colorful sweet energy balls coated with nuts and sugar, arranged on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of colorful sweet energy balls coated with nuts and sugar, arranged on a white plate. | cookwithtaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I switch up the fruits?
Totally! Swap in your favorite dried fruits but stick to the same amount to keep everything balanced.
→ Do I have to use brandy?
Not at all. Skip it or use orange juice if you'd rather go alcohol-free.
→ Why wait a few days before eating them?
Giving them time to sit lets the flavors soak together, making them taste even better.
→ How long will they last?
They’ll stay fresh for weeks in a sealed container at room temp or even longer in the fridge.
→ What’s the deal with toasting nuts?
Toasting wakes up the flavors of the nuts and spices, giving your treats a deeper and richer taste.

Festive Sugar Plums

A cozy mix of dried fruit, warm spices, and toasted nuts rolled in sugar. Perfect for any festive season.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: British

Yield: 24 Servings (24 sugar plums)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 200g mixed nuts like almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts.
02 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom.
03 Zest and juice from 1 large orange.
04 600g of dried figs, dates, or raisins.
05 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
06 25g of crystalized ginger.
07 1 tablespoon of brandy if you'd like.
08 A small pinch of clove powder, about 1/8 teaspoon.
09 1/4 teaspoon of caraway seeds.
10 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss the dried fruit with the brandy, orange juice, and zest. Leave it to soak while you get the nuts ready.

Step 02

Put the nuts in a pan, sprinkle with the spices, and toast for around 5 minutes. Let them cool.

Step 03

Throw everything into the food processor and pulse until it's soft and sticky like a dough.

Step 04

Make small plum-sized balls and roll them in sugar. Chill them overnight.

Step 05

Roll in sugar again. Store in a sealed container and let them sit for a few days to develop flavor.

Notes

  1. Feel free to swap out the dried fruits for others you prefer.
  2. They taste best after a few days.

Tools You'll Need

  • You'll need a food processor.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains tree nuts.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 155
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 3 g