If you’ve ever wanted to try something nostalgic yet fresh for the holidays, you’re going to adore this Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe. I absolutely love how it brings together dried plums, warm spices, and a subtle zing of orange peel that just dances on your taste buds. Trust me, you’ll find that this recipe is quick, straightforward, and a festive treat that feels both classic and a little bit magical. So grab your apron — I’m excited to share this fan-freaking-tastic recipe with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need a pantry full of fancy things — just a few common spices and dried plums.
- No Cooking Required: This recipe comes together with a quick spin in the food processor and chilling — no oven needed.
- Perfect Holiday Gift or Treat: These sugar plums make a charming homemade gift or a delightful snack during the festive season.
- Customizable Flavors: Adjust the spices or nuts to your taste and make these sugar plums truly your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe lies in the balance of flavors — sweet and slightly tart dried plums combined with comforting spices and a touch of vanilla. When shopping, look for quality dried plums and fresh spices to get the best flavor.
- Fruit Bliss French Plums: These dried plums are juicy with a natural sweetness and a beautiful chewy texture perfect for sugar plums.
- Pecans: Toasted pecans add a lovely crunch and nutty depth, but they’re optional if you prefer nut-free.
- Ground Cinnamon: This warm spice is key for that holiday feel — fresh ground is always best!
- Dried Orange Peel: Adds a bright citrus zing that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
- Ground Clove: A bold, aromatic spice that complements the cinnamon and orange peel perfectly.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Just a splash to round out the flavors and add warmth.
- Table Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Granulated or Raw Sugar: For dusting the outside, giving these sugar plums their classic sparkle and a satisfying crunch.
Variations
I love how versatile this Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe is. You can tweak it to suit your preferences, whether that means switching up spices, adding different nuts, or going for a more intense orange flavor. Play around and make this recipe your own — it’s such a joy!
- Add More Nuts: Sometimes I swap pecans for toasted walnuts or almonds, which gives a different but equally delicious crunch.
- Spice It Up: If you like it extra warm, add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger — it really lifts the flavor.
- Make It Vegan: This recipe is naturally vegan, but double-check your vanilla extract to keep it plant-based.
- Fresh Zest Addition: Try adding fresh orange zest instead of dried peel for a brighter fragrance.
How to Make Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe
Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients for the Perfect Blend
Start by adding your dried plums, toasted pecans (if using), cinnamon, dried orange peel, ground clove, vanilla extract, and salt into a food processor. Pulse gently — the goal is to mix everything evenly without turning it into a puree. You’ll want little chunks and texture in there, giving your sugar plums that wonderful chewiness. I discovered this trick after a few attempts trying to make it too smooth, which just felt less satisfying.
Step 2: Chill and Shape the Plums
Once your mixture is combined, spread a piece of parchment paper on a plate or baking sheet and drop about a tablespoon-size spoonful for each sugar plum. Pop this in your fridge for about 30 minutes — this step makes shaping easier and helps the plums hold their shape. From experience, trying to roll these warm just turns them sticky and messy, so chilling is key here!
Step 3: Roll and Coat with Sugar
After chilling, pour granulated or raw sugar into a shallow dish. Roll each chilled spoonful between your palms gently to form a ball, then roll it in the sugar using your fingertips for a light but even coating. Keep the plums cold to prevent stickiness — I try to work relatively quickly here so they hold their shape and sugar sticks nicely. Serve immediately for maximum freshness.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe
- Don’t Overblend: Pulsing the mixture just enough to combine keeps the texture perfect and avoids a gummy result.
- Chill Properly: Refrigerating the mixture before shaping keeps the plums firm and easier to handle.
- Use Fresh Spices: It makes a difference! Fresh cinnamon and clove bring out the authentic warm flavors.
- Roll Quickly: Keep the mixture cold while rolling in sugar to prevent melting or stickiness that can ruin the look.
How to Serve Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe
Garnishes
I love to garnish these sugar plums with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. If I’m serving for a party, a few fresh mint leaves on the side add a refreshing pop of color and aroma that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
Side Dishes
These sugar plums are perfect on their own, but I’ve also enjoyed them alongside a crisp cheese platter or paired with tea and coffee during holiday brunches. They add a wonderful sweetness that balances savory and rich flavors effortlessly.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive occasions, I like to arrange the sugar plums in small glass jars tied with twine and a cinnamon stick, which looks super cute and doubles as a gift. Another fun idea I tried was skewering them on toothpicks with fresh orange slices and serving on a decorative platter — guests loved the presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the sugar plums in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they keep well for up to a week, and the flavors even deepen slightly over time. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature a bit before enjoying — this brings back their soft, lovely texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these sugar plums successfully by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture stays surprisingly good, making this a great make-ahead treat!
Reheating
There’s no reheating needed with these since they’re eaten cold or at room temperature — just let frozen plums thaw naturally. If you want to bring out the aroma, try warming a mug of spiced tea alongside and enjoy the comforting combo.
FAQs
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Can I use different dried fruit instead of plums?
Absolutely! While dried plums give that traditional flavor and texture, you can experiment with dried apricots or dates. Just keep in mind the sweetness and moisture levels vary, so adjust the sugar or chilling time accordingly.
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How long do homemade sugar plums last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they keep well for about one week. If you want longer storage, freezing is a good option, and they maintain quality for up to a few months.
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Do the sugar plums taste better after resting?
Yes! The spices and orange peel flavors meld beautifully if you let the mixture rest for a few hours or overnight in the fridge before shaping, enhancing the complexity of taste.
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Can I make these sugar plums nut-free?
Definitely. Simply omit the pecans if you have allergies or prefer nuttiness-free plums. The recipe still works wonderfully without them.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe is one of those treasured classics I keep coming back to — it’s easy, flavorful, and perfectly festive. I love sharing it with friends because it feels so personal and homemade, not to mention delicious. If you’re looking for a charming holiday treat that feels both nostalgic and fresh, I truly recommend giving these sugar plums a try. You’ll end up with a little batch of sweetness that warms your kitchen and your heart.
Print
Homemade Sugar Plums with Spices Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 13 sugar plums
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy homemade sugar plums recipe offers a delightful holiday treat made from dried French plums blended with warming spices, toasted pecans, and a hint of orange peel. Rolled in sugar for a sweet finish, these no-bake sweets are perfect for Christmas or anytime you want a nostalgic, naturally flavored snack.
Ingredients
Fruit & Nuts
- 10 oz Fruit Bliss French Plums (2 packs of 5 oz each, about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup pecans (toasted, optional)
Spices & Flavorings
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp finely cut dried orange peel
- 3/4 tsp ground clove
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp table salt
Coating
- 1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar or raw sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, add the French plums, toasted pecans (if using), ground cinnamon, dried orange peel, ground clove, pure vanilla extract, and salt. Pulse the mixture until all ingredients are combined but not fully pureed, retaining some texture.
- Shape Plums: Lay a piece of parchment paper on a plate or baking sheet. Spoon approximately 13 one-inch portions of the mixture onto the parchment like cookie dough. Chill the spoonfuls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Coat with Sugar: Pour the granulated or raw sugar into a shallow dish. Using your palms, gently roll each chilled spoonful into a smooth ball, then carefully roll it in the sugar to coat evenly, using your fingertips. Avoid over-rolling to keep them cold and maintain their shape.
- Serve: Serve the sugar plums immediately for best texture and flavor, or keep them chilled until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- This quick and easy homemade sugar plums recipe is a nostalgic Christmas classic featuring dried plums and warming spices complemented by orange peel and a sugared coating.
- Toasted pecans add a lovely crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- Use raw sugar for a more rustic texture or granulated sugar for a finer coating.
- Keep the mixture cold to make rolling easier and maintain the plums’ shape.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sugar plum
- Calories: 103 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
