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Making these adorable sugar plums has become my holiday tradition. They always make me think of childhood tales where sugarplums danced in kids' heads. The real magic comes from mixing dried fruits, nuts, and cozy spices into these cute little bites. I love how they add that old-fashioned charm to our modern holiday get-togethers.
A Delightful Journey Back in Time
I'm fascinated by how these goodies go way back to Victorian days. I can't help picturing them served at fancy holiday dinners hundreds of years ago. These days I serve my sugar plums at everything from small family nights to big holiday bashes. My guests always seem curious about that special mix of natural sweetness and subtle spices.
Your Shopping List
- Dried Fruit: Try dates, prunes, or figs for sweetness and binding power. Give them an orange juice bath for extra juiciness.
- Nuts: Finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or whatever nuts you prefer, lightly toasted.
- Spices: Cozy flavors such as nutmeg or cinnamon to boost that holiday feeling.
- Orange Juice and Zest: Brings freshness and works well with the fruit mix.
- Rum or Brandy (optional): Just a little splash for extra richness.
- Granulated Sugar: Used for coating, adds crunch and shimmer.
Creating Your Holiday Treats
- Get Everything Ready
- Heat up nuts with spices in a pan until they smell amazing. Let dried fruit soak in orange juice to get nice and soft.
- Mix It All Together
- Put your toasted nuts and soaked fruits into a food processor. Pulse until you've got a thick, sticky mixture.
- Form and Finish
- Form small balls from your mixture, then roll them in sugar for that festive sparkle.
- Wait and Enjoy
- Keep them cool in your fridge for a couple days so flavors can mix, then enjoy or store in a sealed container.
Add Your Personal Touch
I'm always switching up my fruit and nut combos in these sugar plums. Sometimes I'll swap in raisins for the figs or try a different liqueur for fun flavors. My top trick is coating them in bright colored sugar so they look like tiny gems on the plate.
Tricks I've Learned
I've found that soft, premium dried fruits work best for this recipe. Don't skip soaking them first for the right consistency. You'll need a powerful food processor since this mixture gets pretty sticky. I love making fancy colored sugar by shaking regular sugar with a drop of food coloring in a plastic bag.
Storage Smarts
I always let my sugar plums chill for a few days before serving them. The flavors really come together nicely that way. They'll stay good for around a month, so you can make them early when the holidays get crazy busy.
What Makes These So Special
These sugar plums are such a nice break from today's candy options. They're super easy to make but look really fancy. My guests always get excited about their traditional charm when I serve them. I feel like I'm keeping something truly special alive in my kitchen.
Great Pairings
Sugar plums taste amazing with a hot mug of spiced tea or warm mulled wine. They're great on cheese boards too, adding just the right sweet touch. I find they work everywhere from casual coffee with friends to fancy holiday dinners.
Gifts From The Heart
I love giving sugar plums as presents. I wrap them in cute tins or see-through bags with holiday ribbons. Since they don't spoil quickly, they're great for handing out to friends and neighbors all season long. Homemade treats like these always bring smiles to everyone's faces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap out the dried fruits?
- Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorite dried fruits as long as you keep the overall amount the same to maintain the right texture.
- → Do I have to use brandy?
- Not at all. While brandy adds nice flavor, you can skip it completely or use orange juice instead if you want to avoid alcohol.
- → Why should I wait a few days before eating them?
- Giving the sugar plums time to sit lets all the yummy flavors mingle together, making them taste much better and more interesting.
- → How long will they stay fresh?
- When you store them in a container that keeps air out, they'll last many weeks at room temperature or even longer if you put them in the fridge.
- → What's the point of toasting the nuts?
- Toasting nuts with spices brings out their natural oils and makes them way more flavorful, giving your treats a richer taste.