Description
Sugarplum Christmas Candy is a festive no-bake treat combining chopped dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, rolled into bite-sized balls and coated in granulated sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to prepare, these sweet and chewy candies offer a traditional flavor with a delightful texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Nuts
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted dates
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped prunes
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped skinless toasted hazelnuts
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cherry preserves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all the chopped dried fruits and toasted nuts, along with the spices and cherry preserves needed for the recipe.
- Pulse Dry Ingredients: Place the chopped dates, walnuts, dried cranberries, prunes, and hazelnuts into a food processor. Pulse several times to combine while maintaining a coarse texture.
- Add Flavorings and Mix: Add cherry preserves, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves to the food processor. Pulse repeatedly until the mixture starts to come together and holds when squeezed but remains somewhat coarse, avoiding over-processing into a paste.
- Form Sugarplums: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls by hand, ensuring even size and shape.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each ball in granulated sugar until coated thoroughly.
- Serve or Store: Serve immediately in decorative candy cups or store in an airtight container layered with wax paper. Refrigerate up to one month or freeze for up to three months.
Notes
- For an adult variation, add a spoonful of brandy or rum to the mixture, adjusting dried fruits or nuts to bind if too wet.
- Try rolling the sugarplums in sanding sugar or multi-colored sugar crystals for a festive look.
- Swap cherry preserves for fruit chutneys like Major Grey’s for diverse flavors.
- Store sugarplums in an airtight container separated by wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Use metallic or holiday-colored candy cups for a decorative presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy ball (approx. 15g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
