Homemade Sugar Plums with Spiced Nut and Fruit Filling Recipe
Sugar plums are a delightful, no-bake treat combining finely chopped dried fruits and toasted nuts blended with warm spices and a touch of cherry jam, rolled in coarse sugar for a sweet, festive finish. These bite-sized sweets are perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a naturally sweet and flavorful snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 sugar plums 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Dried Fruits
- 1/2 cup prunes, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried apricots or dates, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Nuts
- 1/2 cup toasted, unsalted almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted, unsalted pecans, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cherry jam
- 3/4 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 cup coarse sugar for coating (such as purple sugar)
Instructions
- Toast Nuts: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the almonds and pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 6-7 minutes until fragrant and lightly toasted. Remove from oven and let cool. Toasting intensifies the nutty flavor and enhances the texture.
- Chop Dried Fruits: Finely chop the prunes, dried apricots or dates, and dried cranberries by hand. This ensures even texture and blends well with nuts.
- Process Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the chopped dried fruits and toasted nuts. Pulse several times until everything is finely chopped but still slightly textured. Add cherry jam, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Pulse again until the mixture is sticky and holds together when pressed.
- Shape Sugar Plums: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the mixture. Shape each scoop into an oval with your hands. Optionally, use a toothpick to create an indentation in the front to mimic a classic sugar plum look.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each formed plum in the coarse sugar until they are well coated. For a festive touch, optionally insert a small rosemary sprig into the top as a stem.
- Serve and Enjoy: Place the sugar plums on a serving plate. These treats can be refrigerated to firm up slightly before serving, or eaten immediately. They make a perfect naturally sweet snack or holiday treat.
Notes
- Toasting the nuts is optional but recommended for enhanced flavor.
- You can substitute dried apricots with dates based on preference.
- Coarse sugar coating adds a crystalline texture and sweet crunch to the plums.
- Keep sugar plums refrigerated if not consuming immediately to maintain freshness.
- These sugar plums are naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Keywords: sugar plums, dried fruit treats, no-bake desserts, holiday sweets, naturally sweet snacks, vegan desserts, gluten free dessert
