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Making these adorable sugar plums has become my holiday tradition. They take me back to childhood tales where sugarplums danced in kids' dreams. The real magic comes from mixing dried fruits, nuts, and cozy spices into these cute little bites. I really love how they add that old-fashioned charm to my modern holiday get-togethers.
A Delightful Journey Back in Time
I'm fascinated by how these goodies go all the way back to Victorian days. I can just picture them sitting pretty on fancy tables hundreds of years ago. These days I serve my sugar plums at everything from small family dinners to big holiday bashes. My guests always perk up when they taste that special mix of natural sweetness with gentle spices.
Your Ingredients List
- Dried Fruit: Try dates, prunes, or figs that give natural sweetness and help everything stick together. A quick soak in orange juice makes them extra moist.
- Nuts: Finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or whatever nuts you prefer, lightly toasted first.
- Spices: Cozy picks like nutmeg or cinnamon to bring out that holiday feeling.
- Orange Juice and Zest: Gives a fresh kick that works great with the fruit.
- Rum or Brandy (if you want): Just a tiny bit adds extra flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: For the outside coating that makes them sparkle and adds texture.
Creating Your Holiday Treats
- Get Everything Ready
- Put nuts and spices in a pan over medium heat until you smell their aroma. Let dried fruit soak in orange juice to get juicy.
- Mix It All Up
- Put your toasted nuts and fruit in a food processor. Run it until you get a sticky, thick mixture.
- Form and Roll
- Make small balls about the size of plums, then roll them in sugar until they're completely covered.
- Rest and Enjoy
- Put them in the fridge for a couple days so flavors can mix together, then enjoy or keep in a sealed container.
Put Your Own Spin On Them
I'm always switching up my sugar plum recipe with different fruits and nuts. Sometimes I swap in raisins for the figs or try a new liqueur for extra zing. My absolute favorite trick is coating them in colored sugar so they look like tiny gemstones.
Tricks I've Learned
I've found that buying super soft, good quality dried fruits really makes these treats special. Don't skip soaking the fruit first if you want the right texture. You'll need a powerful food processor because the mix gets really sticky. For fun colored coating, just shake regular sugar with a drop of food coloring in a plastic bag.
Storage Secrets
I always let my sugar plums chill out in the fridge for a few days before serving them up. The flavors really come together that way. They'll stay good for around a month, so you can make them way ahead during the crazy holiday rush.
What Makes These So Special
These sugar plums are such a nice break from today's candy options. They're so easy to put together but look fancy enough for company. People always get curious about them because they've got that classic, old-timey feel. It feels good knowing I'm keeping this sweet tradition going in my kitchen.
Great Pairings
Sugar plums taste amazing with a hot mug of spiced tea or warm mulled wine. They work surprisingly well on cheese boards too, adding just the right sweet touch. I find they fit right in at any gathering, from casual coffee with friends to fancy holiday dinners.
Gift Them Gladly
I love giving sugar plums as presents. They look so cute wrapped up in small tins or clear bags tied with pretty ribbons. Since they don't go bad quickly, they're great for handing out to friends and neighbors all season long. Homemade treats like these always bring smiles.
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Common Questions
- → Can I swap out the dried fruits?
- Absolutely, feel free to switch up the fruit mix based on what you like, just keep the total amount the same so they stick together properly.
- → Do I have to use brandy?
- Not at all. The brandy adds some flavor but you can skip it or use orange juice instead if you want them alcohol-free.
- → Why should I wait a few days before eating them?
- Letting them sit helps all the tastes mix together and get stronger, making them taste way better in the end.
- → How long will they stay good?
- They'll stay fresh for many weeks in a sealed container at room temp, or even longer if you keep them in the fridge.
- → What's the point of toasting the nuts?
- Toasting nuts with the spices brings out their natural oils and makes them smell and taste much better in your final treats.