Description
Sweet memories dance through Sugar Plums, a festive confection that whispers holiday traditions. Candied fruits, nuts, and warming spices blend into bite-sized delights perfect for sharing with loved ones during winter celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 cup (150 g / 5.3 ounces) dried plums (prunes), chopped
- 1 cup (150 g / 5.3 ounces) dried apricots, chopped
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) almonds, finely chopped
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
Sweeteners:
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fluid ounces) honey
- ¼ cup (50 g / 1.8 ounces) granulated sugar (for coating)
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Pulverize dried plums, apricots, almonds, and walnuts in a food processor until they reach a fine, uniform consistency without becoming a complete paste. If a food processor is unavailable, meticulously chop the ingredients using a sharp knife.
- Combine the finely chopped mixture in a mixing bowl, introducing honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Thoroughly blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes cohesive and develops a sticky texture.
- Craft compact spheres from the mixture, ensuring each orb measures approximately one inch in diameter. Apply gentle pressure while rolling to maintain structural integrity.
- Spread granulated sugar across a shallow dish, creating an even coating surface. Delicately rotate each sugar plum sphere within the sugar, ensuring complete and uniform coverage for a luminous, crystalline exterior.
- Carefully position the sugar-encrusted spheres on a serving plate or storage container. Refrigerate the confections for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing them to solidify and enhance their textural complexity before presenting or consuming.
Notes
- Customize chopping techniques by using a food processor for quick, uniform pieces or hand-chop for a more rustic texture.
- Experiment with alternative nuts like pecans or pistachios to create unique flavor variations and accommodate nut allergies.
- Adjust sweetness levels by reducing honey or substituting with maple syrup for a lower-glycemic option perfect for diabetic-friendly diets.
- Store sugar plums in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making them an excellent make-ahead holiday treat or gifting option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg