I was very pleasantly surprised by this recipe. It is easy to make and delicious. I made these for my family and friends to serve after dinner with coffee, and everyone raved about them.
Sugar Plums
Photo: David Sawyer
MAKES 75
"… while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads." The famous sugar plums spoken about in Clement Clark Moore's beloved poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" were actually sugar-coated coriander. Later the recipe changed and included other spices and dried fruit. This recipe is based on the confection we know today. Sugar plums tend to absorb the powdered sugar, so redust just before eating, if you like.
2 cups whole almonds
1⁄4 cup honey
2 tsp. grated orange zest
1 1⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp. ground allspice
1⁄2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup finely chopped dried apricots
1 cup finely chopped pitted dates
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast in oven for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool, then finely chop.
2. Meanwhile, combine honey, orange zest, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl. Add almonds, apricots, and dates and mix well.
3. Pinch off rounded teaspoon-size pieces of the mixture and roll into balls. (Rinse your hands often, as mixture is very sticky.) Roll balls in sugar, then refrigerate in single layers between sheets of waxed paper in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Their flavor improves after ripening for several days.
Ratings & Reviews (4)
The recipe is simple and tasty, and comes together fast with the help of a food processor. I substituted dried plums (prunes) and cranberries for the dates, and dredged the formed sugar-plums in pecan meal instead of confectioners' sugar. This worked very well.
If you have never tried a sugar plum you are in for a treat. Everyone we shared them with really enjoyed them. Keep them in the frig before serving.
These are a holiday staple in our house- they are so amazingly delicious. The mixture tastes a bit raw when you first mix everything together, but trust the recipe and give them a few days to get better. Addictive.
Sugar Plums
5
5
3
4
