Holiday Sugarplum Delights
Inspired by the classic poem 'The Night Before Christmas', these Holiday Sugarplum Delights are a festive treat that embodies the joy and warmth of the season. Made with a medley of toasted almonds, fragrant spices, and sweet, chewy dried fruits, these candy-like confections are perfect for sharing with family and friends. With a delightful roll in confectioners' sugar, they resemble tiny orbs of holiday cheer. Prepare these sweet treats up to a month in advance for the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. Their flavors deepen and improve as they mature, making them an irresistible bite that captures the spirit of the holidays.
N/A
Servings
60
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole almonds
2 cups (toasted and finely chopped)
honey
1/4 cup (none)
grated orange zest
2 teaspoons (freshly grated)
ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (grated fresh)
dried apricot
1 cup (finely chopped)
pitted dates
1 cup (finely chopped)
orange liqueur or orange juice
3 drops (if mixture is too dry)
confectioners' sugar
1 cup (for rolling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the whole almonds evenly on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until they are golden and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
2
Once toasted, remove the almonds from the oven and allow them to cool completely. After they have cooled, finely chop the almonds using a chef's knife or food processor and set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the honey, grated orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and freshly grated nutmeg. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create a fragrant base.
4
Add the finely chopped almonds, dried apricots, and pitted dates to the bowl. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. If the mixture feels too dry, add a few drops of orange liqueur or freshly squeezed orange juice to achieve the desired consistency.
5
With your hands, pinch off rounded teaspoon-size portions of the mixture and roll them into small balls. Note that the mixture will be sticky, so it's a good idea to rinse your hands frequently to make the rolling process easier.
6
Once all the mixture has been formed into balls, roll each ball in confectioners' sugar to coat them generously.
7
Place the sugared sugarplums in a single layer between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 month. Allow them to rest for a few days before serving to let the flavors develop for an even more delightful experience.
Nutrition Information
4.3g
Fat
4.6g
Carbs
1.1g
Protein
2.9g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired the Holiday Sugarplum Delights recipe?
These treats are inspired by the classic poem 'The Night Before Christmas' to embody the joy and warmth of the holiday season.
What are the primary components of these sugarplums?
They are made with a medley of toasted almonds, fragrant spices, and sweet, chewy dried fruits like apricots and dates.
How are the sugarplums finished for a festive look?
They are rolled in confectioners' sugar to resemble tiny orbs of holiday cheer.
How far in advance can I prepare these treats?
You can prepare these sweet treats up to a month in advance for your holiday celebrations.
Does the flavor change over time?
Yes, their flavors deepen and improve as they mature, making them more irresistible over time.
At what temperature should I toast the almonds?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to toast the almonds.
How long do the almonds need to toast?
Toast the whole almonds for about 10 minutes or until they are golden and fragrant.
How should the almonds be prepared after toasting?
Allow them to cool completely, then finely chop them using a chef's knife or a food processor.
What ingredients make up the fragrant base?
The base is created by thoroughly mixing honey, grated orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and freshly grated nutmeg.
Which dried fruits are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one cup of finely chopped dried apricots and one cup of finely chopped pitted dates.
What should I do if the sugarplum mixture feels too dry?
You can add a few drops of orange liqueur or freshly squeezed orange juice to achieve the desired consistency.
What is the recommended size for each sugarplum?
Pinch off rounded teaspoon-size portions and roll them into small balls.
How do I handle the sticky mixture while rolling?
It is helpful to rinse your hands frequently to make the rolling process easier since the mixture is sticky.
What is the final coating for the balls?
Each ball should be rolled in confectioners' sugar to coat it generously.
How should the sugarplums be stored?
Place them in a single layer between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container.
Do these need to be refrigerated?
Yes, they should be refrigerated for up to 1 month.
How long should they rest before serving?
Allow them to rest for a few days before serving to let the flavors develop fully.
How many calories are in one Holiday Sugarplum Delight?
Each serving contains approximately 60 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each sugarplum has about 4.3g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 4.6g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each treat?
Each serving provides about 1.1g of protein.
What is the sugar content per sugarplum?
Each treat contains approximately 2.9g of sugar.
Is this a no-bake recipe?
Yes, it is considered a no-bake treat, although the almonds do require brief toasting in the oven.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically uses whole almonds that are toasted and finely chopped.
What spices are needed?
You will need ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and freshly grated nutmeg.
Can I use orange juice instead of liqueur?
Yes, freshly squeezed orange juice is a perfectly acceptable substitute for orange liqueur.
What type of zest is required?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of freshly grated orange zest.
Is there any sodium or cholesterol in these?
The provided nutritional data indicates there is no significant sodium or cholesterol content.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 ingredients in total, including the optional orange juice or liqueur.
What tags define this recipe?
Tags include candy, holiday, treat, dessert, sugarplum, nuts, dried fruit, healthy snacks, and no-bake.