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Making these adorable sugar plums has become my holiday tradition. They take me back to those fairy tales where sugarplums danced in kids' dreams. The real joy comes when you mix dried fruits, nuts and aromatic spices into these cute little bites. I really love how they add that old-fashioned charm to my modern holiday get-togethers.
A Delicious Journey Back in Time
The backstory of these goodies goes all the way to Victorian days. I can't help but picture them served at fancy holiday dinners hundreds of years ago. These days I serve my sugar plums at everything from small family visits to big holiday bashes. The combo of natural sweetness with gentle spices always gets my guests talking.
Your Ingredients List
- Dried Fruit: Dates, prunes, or figs give natural sweetness and help everything stick together. Try soaking them in orange juice for extra juiciness.
- Nuts: Finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or whatever nuts you prefer, lightly toasted.
- Spices: Holiday spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon to bring out that festive taste.
- Orange Juice and Zest: Brings freshness and works well with the fruit flavors.
- Rum or Brandy (optional): Just a tiny bit adds richness and luxury.
- Granulated Sugar: Used for coating, adds crunch and sparkle.
Creating Your Treats
- Get Everything Ready
- Heat nuts with spices in a pan until they smell amazing. Let dried fruit soak in orange juice to plump up.
- Mix It All Together
- Put your toasted nuts and soaked fruit into a food processor. Pulse until you get a thick, sticky mix.
- Form and Roll
- Make small plum-sized balls from the mixture, then roll them in sugar for a pretty finish.
- Rest and Enjoy
- Keep in the fridge for several days to blend flavors, then enjoy or store in a sealed container.
Put Your Spin On Them
I'm always switching up the fruit and nut mix in my sugar plums. Sometimes I'll swap in dried apricots for dates or try a splash of different liquors for fun flavors. My top trick is coating them in colored sugar so they look like tiny colorful gems.
Handy Hints
I've found that picking super soft, premium dried fruits really matters. Giving them a good soak beforehand creates just the right softness. You'll need a powerful food processor because this mixture can get pretty sticky. I often make fancy colored sugar by shaking regular sugar with a drop of food coloring in a ziplock bag.
Storage Secrets
I always let my sugar plums chill in the fridge for a few days before serving them because the flavors get so much better. They'll stay good for around a month, so you can make them early when holiday madness kicks in.
What Makes Them Special
These sugar plums offer such a nice break from store-bought sweets. They're super easy to whip up but look really fancy. Whenever I bring them out, people are curious about their old-fashioned vibe. It feels good to keep this lovely tradition going in my kitchen.
Ideal Pairings
These sugar plums taste amazing with a hot mug of spiced tea or warm mulled wine. They work great on cheese platters too, adding just the right sweetness. I really like how they fit in anywhere from casual afternoon snacks to fancy holiday dinners.
Gift These Goodies
Sugar plums turn into wonderful presents. I pack them in cute tins or see-through bags with holiday ribbons. Since they don't spoil quickly, they're great for giving to friends and neighbors throughout the season. Everyone gets excited about receiving these special homemade sweets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap out the fruits?
- Sure! Change up the dried fruits to suit your taste, but keep the total amount consistent for the best texture.
- → Do I have to use brandy?
- Nope! Brandy just adds flavor. Skip it or use orange juice if you want an alcohol-free option.
- → Why let them sit for a few days?
- It gives the flavors time to blend together for a richer, more delicious taste.
- → How long will they last?
- Stored tightly in a container, they’ll stay fresh for weeks at room temp or even longer if refrigerated.
- → What’s the deal with toasting nuts?
- Toasting spices the nuts up and makes them extra flavorful. It’s worth the effort!