Description

This Traditional Sugar Plums recipe is a delightful, no-bake treat combining the rich flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices. Perfect as a festive holiday snack or a healthy dessert, these sugar plums showcase a blend of California prunes, walnuts, dates, and cranberries enrobed in a touch of apricot preserves and rolled in coarse sugar for a crunchy exterior.

Ingredients

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Dried Fruits & Nuts

1/2 cup California Prunes (about 3.25 oz)
1/2 cup walnuts (toasted & coarsely chopped, about 2 oz)
1/4 cup dates (pitted & chopped, just over 1 oz, about 5) or dried figs
1/4 cup dried cranberries (about 1.25 oz)
1/4 cup hazelnut meal or almond meal (toasted) or hazelnut or almond flour

Flavorings & Spices

2 Tablespoons apricot preserves (or honey)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 pinch fine sea salt

Coating

1/2 cup sugar (preferably coarse sugar for crunch)

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Instructions

Prepare the Fruit and Nuts: Begin by toasting the walnuts and your chosen nut meal (hazelnut or almond) lightly until fragrant. Then, coarsely chop the toasted walnuts. Chop the pitted dates or figs finely, ensuring they are soft enough to blend well.
Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the California prunes, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and nut meal. Stir in the apricot preserves (or honey) along with cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
Form the Sugar Plums: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small, bite-sized balls, about the size of a walnut, making approximately 14 pieces from the batch.
Roll in Sugar: Pour the coarse sugar onto a shallow plate or bowl. Roll each formed sugar plum in the sugar to coat all sides, giving them a crunchy and attractive finish.
Chill and Serve: Place the sugar plums onto a tray or plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let them firm up. Enjoy them as a sweet snack or festive treat.

Notes

If preferred, you can substitute the apricot preserves with honey for a different flavor twist and natural sweetness.
Toasting the walnuts and nut meal enhances their flavor, but be careful not to burn them.
Use whole nuts ground into a meal if you do not have pre-made almond or hazelnut meal.
Coarse sugar on the outside adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle; if unavailable, fine sugar can be used but the texture will be different.
This recipe does not require any baking or cooking beyond toasting the nuts, making it quick and easy.