Description
Festive Sugar Plums are a delightful holiday treat made from a blend of dried fruits, nuts, aromatic spices, and a splash of brandy. These no-bake, sweet and spiced plum-sized balls are coated in sugar and chilled to develop rich flavors, perfect for festive celebrations or as a unique homemade gift.
Ingredients
Scale
Dried Fruits and Flavorings
- 600 g dried fruit (a mixture of figs, dates, raisins)
- 25 g crystallized ginger
- 1 large orange (zest and juice)
- 1 tbsp brandy (or rum, optional)
Nuts and Spices
- 200 g nuts (a combination of almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp powdered cardamom
- ¼ tsp powdered ginger
- ¼ tsp caraway seeds
- ⅛ tsp powdered cloves
Coating
- Sugar (quantity as needed for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare Fruit Mixture: Mix the dried fruit together in a bowl along with the orange zest, orange juice, and brandy if using. Leave it to absorb the liquid while you prepare the nuts.
- Toast Spiced Nuts: Coat the nuts in cinnamon, cardamom, powdered ginger, caraway seeds, and cloves. Toast them in a dry pan for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes.
- Blend Ingredients: Place all the ingredients except the sugar into a large food processor. Blend until you achieve a thick paste that can be molded by hand.
- Form Plums: Roll the mixture into plum-sized balls, then coat each ball thoroughly in sugar.
- Chill and Set: Place the sugar-coated plums in the fridge overnight to set. After chilling, roll them in sugar once more for an even coating.
- Mature Flavors: Store the finished sugar plums in an airtight container for a couple of days to allow the flavors to deepen and mature before serving.
- Serve: Ready to serve any time after maturation as a festive snack or dessert.
Notes
- Using a mixture of dried fruits adds complexity and natural sweetness to the plums.
- Crystallized ginger adds a zesty warmth but can be adjusted according to taste.
- Toasting the nuts with spices enhances their flavor and aroma significantly.
- The brandy or rum is optional but adds depth and a festive flavor profile.
- Rolling the plums twice in sugar ensures a nice, sweet crust and appealing texture.
- Allowing the plums to mature in an airtight container intensifies the flavors over time.
- Store in the fridge for longer shelf life and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plum (approximate 25 g)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
