• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She Loves Biscotti
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Maria
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Christmas » Easy Sugar Plums Christmas Recipe

    Easy Sugar Plums Christmas Recipe

    December 6, 2022 , Updated October 28, 2023 Maria 22 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Reddit
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Glittery sugar plums on a silver tray.

    This quick and easy recipe for Christmas sugar plums comes together in no time! Made with dried fruits, nuts, and fragrant spices, they are a sweet treat to add to your holiday cookie platter. They also make the perfect homemade gift for family and friends.

    A silver tray of no bake sugar plums.

    No matter what visions of sugar plums you have dancing in your head, this one is worth exploring!

    But what exactly is a sugar plum?

    Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a sugar plum as “a small candy in the shape of a ball or disk.” These sugar-coated plums originated from the popular method of boiling fruit with sugar to preserve it, typically plums.

    According to historical records, the term “sugar plum” came into general usage in the 17th century, marking the beginning of a long and cherished tradition of holiday indulgence.

    Today, sugar plum recipes have evolved beyond their plum-centric origins. These delectable treats can now feature a medley of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices.

    While traditionalists may insist on using only plums, my recipe takes a daring twist by combining dates, dried apricots, nuts, and aromatic spices, resulting in a chewy and flavorful delight.

    The final touch is rolling them in coarse sugar, which adds a hint of sparkle and makes them a wonderful addition to your holiday cookie platter! 

    You’ll quickly uncover three extraordinary things when making this delightful recipe: the ease of preparation, the burst of flavors in each bite, and the joy of gifting these unique sugar plums as hostess gifts.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Let’s prep our recipe
    • How to make sugar plums
    • How to serve
    • Tips
    • FAQ
    • Variations
    • Easy, no-bake Christmas treats
    • Recipe origins 
    • Italian no-bake Christmas treats
    • Recipe
    Ingredients to make sugar plums on a wooden board.

    Ingredients

    These ingredients to make sugar plums are easily found and come together to make a delicious treat with a perfect blend of flavors and textures.

    • Almonds: Almonds add a delightful nuttiness and crunch to the sugar plums. Roasting them enhances their flavor.
    • Dates: Dates are a natural sweetener and are key in binding the ingredients. They provide a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a chewy texture.
    • Dried Apricots: Dried apricots offer a bright and tangy flavor to balance the sweetness of the dates. They also contribute to the chewy texture.
    • Orange Zest: Orange zest, especially when organic, brings a citrus aroma and a zesty, refreshing taste to the sugar plums. It also provides a lovely fragrance.
    • Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon introduces warm and comforting spice notes to the sugar plums. This classic holiday spice enhances the overall flavor and aroma.
    • Allspice: Homemade allspice contributes a warm, slightly peppery flavor with hints of clove and cinnamon.
    • Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg brings a warm and slightly nutty flavor.
    • Turbinado Sugar: Turbinado sugar, with its larger crystals, is used for rolling the sugar plums. It provides a delightful crunch and a sweet, sparkling exterior that makes the sugar plums visually appealing and adds an extra layer of sweetness.

    Let’s prep our recipe

    Prepping the ingredients for this easy recipe ensures that the texture and the flavor all come together perfectly.

    Roasting the almonds: Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Place 1 cup of almonds on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer, and roast for 9-15 minutes or until fragrant. Coarsely chop and set aside. Allow to cool down to room temperature before combining with the rest of the ingredients. 

    Chop the dried fruit: Chopping the dried fruit into small pieces helps the food processor work more efficiently. For this sugar plum recipe, you will need 1 cup of dates, pits removed (140 grams) and 1 cup of dried apricots (140 grams).

    If your food processor is relatively robust, you can skip this step as it can easily break down the fruit.

    The mixture for the No Bake Almond Date Apricot Sugar Plums.

    How to make sugar plums

    Now that our ingredients are prepped, it’s time to make our delicious Christmas sugar plums.

    In a food processor or high-speed blender, add the roasted almonds, chopped dates, and apricots with 1½ teaspoons of orange zest, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice, ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

    Pulse until this fruit mixture breaks down and forms a sticky paste with a coarse texture. Avoid letting the mixture become one large mass.

    The rolled Sugar Plums without the sugar.

    Use a small disher to portion the sugar plum mixture (approximately 1½ tablespoons) and roll it into small round balls with slightly damp hands. Then, roll the small balls into a bowl of coarse sugar to coat them.

    Individual sugar plums are glittery.

    How to serve

    There are a few festive ways to serve this sugar plum candy. They look beautiful and will be the highlight of any festive occasion!

    • Place the sugar-coated balls in festive truffle liners for individual portions. Serve alongside an espresso for a delightful treat!
    • Pile them in glass jars or a vintage candy tray (as we did in the photo above).
    • Serve your guests these delicious treats on a silver tray for an impressive presentation.
    • Add them to your holiday cookie platter as a gift for friends or a special Christmas dessert.

    No matter how you decide to serve them, these sugar plums will surely be a hit!

    Tips

    • Chopping the dates and dried apricots into smaller pieces will help the food processor blend the ingredients more smoothly. Avoid letting the mixture become one large mass.
    • When storing, use wax paper to separate layers to prevent sticking.
    • To prevent the sugar plums from sticking to your hands, lightly dampen your palms with water before rolling them.

    FAQ

    Can I roll the sugar plum in different types of sugar?

    You can roll the sugared plum in different types of sugar, such as white sugar, brown sugar, or even powdered sugar.

    Are these sugar plums gluten-free?

    Yes, these sugar plums are gluten-free. As always, please read the labels of the ingredients you use to ensure they are gluten-free.

    Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?

    Unfortunately, this recipe was specifically created to work with dried fruits, as fresh fruits have a higher moisture content that would prevent them from holding their shape.

    How to store leftover sugarplums

    Store these Christmas treats in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

    How do I properly freeze the sugar plums?

    After shaping them, transfer them to a baking sheet and freeze them for about 2 hours until firm. Transfer to an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s important to note that there’s no need to roll them in sugar before freezing. When ready to serve, let them come to room temperature and roll them in coarse sugar.

    No Bake Almond Date Apricot Sugar Plums in a dish.

    Variations

    • Mix and Match Ingredients: Experiment with different combinations of dried fruits, nuts, and spices to customize the flavor to your liking. The nuts and dried fruit proportions must be constant.
    • Swap Dried Fruits: Try alternatives like dried cranberries, raisins, prunes, or various other options to replace dates and apricots.
    • Nuts Galore: Explore beyond almonds with walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecans for a unique twist.
    • Spice It Up: Create distinct flavors by incorporating allspice, anise seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, caraway seeds, or pumpkin spice.
    • A Touch of Sweetness: Roll your sugar plums in sanding sugar, edible glitter, desiccated coconut, or chocolate for added visual appeal and flavor.
    • Sophisticated Twist: For an adult version, consider adding a tablespoon of brandy or orange liqueur to elevate the experience.

    Easy, no-bake Christmas treats

    Who can resist homemade holiday treats? They are a great addition to your holiday cookie platter and make the best hostess gifts.

    Chocolate fudge in a candy box, surrounded by mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.

    Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge

    For a delicious and thoughtful holiday gift, make chocolate fudge! It comes together quickly and can easily be personalized.

    If you’re looking for more Christmas treats that don’t involve baking, try combining chocolate with roasted almonds to create homemade chocolate almond clusters.

    Another no-bake chocolate recipe is to make dark chocolate bark with different combinations of ingredients like pumpkin seeds and roasted nuts.

    Finally, try this Italian recipe for sesame candy! It’s the perfect addition to your platter of Italian cookies.

    Recipe origins 

    I discovered the original recipe for these no-bake sugar plums in a Canadian magazine called Homemakers, which is now out of publication.

    This has remained my go-to recipe for no-bake festive treats for decades. It is a simple and delicious addition to any platter of holiday cookies.

    Regarding changes to the original recipe, I added a touch of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg and included the zest of one fresh orange.

    My holiday cookie platter would not be complete without these chewy, fragrant sugar plums. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does!

    Just for you! A printable baking checklist to help you keep track of all your baking needs.

    If you love to bake, this is for you! Simply subscribe to my weekly newsletter and receive this FREE BAKING CHECKLIST PRINTABLE!

    This way, you won’t miss any of my new recipes, and it’s FREE! 

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community, where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made these sugarplums, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Italian no-bake Christmas treats

    • Italian honey balls in a red bowl.
      Struffoli Recipe: Italian Honey Balls
    • A Pandoro Christmas tree cake garnished with whipped ricotta and icing sugar.
      Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake: A No-Bake Dessert
    • An overhead photo of Italian dessert calzone on a white platter.
      Calzoni di Ceci: An Italian Dessert Calzone
    • Stacks of crispy crostoli on a white ceramic dish, ready to be served.
      Crostoli aka Chiacchiere Napoletane

    Recipe

    A tray of No Bake Almond Date Apricot Sugar Plums

    Easy Sugar Plums Christmas Recipe

    This quick and easy recipe for Christmas sugar plums comes together in no time! Made with dried fruits, nuts, and fragrant spices.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 servings
    Calories: 73kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter you email below and I’ll send the link to your inbox.
    PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup almonds coarsely chopped and roasted (about 140 grams)
    • 1 cup dates chopped (about 140 grams)
    • 1 cup dried apricots chopped (about 140 grams)
    • 1½ teaspoon orange zest finely grated, organic
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice ground
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
    • ¼ cup turbinado sugar or more for rolling

    Instructions

    • In a food processor, combine the roasted almonds, dates, apricots, orange zest and spices.
    • Cover and pulse until mixture is transformed into a paste.
    • Roll mixture into a 1 inch diameter balls (about 1½ tablespoon).
    • Roll balls in sugar.
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or can be frozen (WITHOUT rolling in the sugar) for up to 3 months.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Video

    Notes

    How to store sugarplums: Store these Christmas treats (without rolling in sugar) in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze them for up to 3 months. Use wax or parchment paper to separate layers to prevent sticking. Note: Bring to room temperature before rolling in coarse sugar. 
    Roasting the almonds: Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Place 1 cup of almonds on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer, and roast for 9-15 minutes or until fragrant. Coarsely chop and set aside. Allow to cool down to room temperature before combining with the rest of the ingredients. 
    Tips:
    • Chopping the dates and dried apricots into smaller pieces will help the food processor blend the ingredients more smoothly. Avoid letting the mixture become one large mass.
    • When storing, use wax paper to separate layers to prevent sticking.
    • To prevent the sugar plums from sticking to your hands, lightly dampen your palms with a bit of water before rolling them.
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 
    *adapted from Homemakers Magazine

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    SIGN UP for Email updates!YES! Send me FREE RECIPES!

    This post was originally published on November 13, 2016, and republished on December 6, 2022, with updated photos, content and a video. Thanks for sharing.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter you email below and I'll send the link to your inbox.
    PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!

    • Facebook
    • Reddit
    • Flipboard

    Filed Under: Christmas, Desserts

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fidelis

      January 09, 2023 at 3:49 am

      Hi and Happy New Year!
      Thanks for the great recipes. I find them easy to follow and delish.
      Just wanted to let you know that I am unable to watch any of your videos as they break-up all the way through. Perhaps there is something on your end that can correct this. Thanks again for lovely eats.

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 11, 2023 at 9:40 pm

        Thanks so much for taking the time to share Fidelis. I am curious to know if it is on a laptop, mobile, or desktop?

        Reply
    2. maria furia

      December 12, 2019 at 10:59 am

      Thank you for this gluten free recipe! I cannot wait to make and eat these!

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 12, 2019 at 4:42 pm

        Fantastic Maria! Enjoy!!!

        Reply
        • Colette

          December 19, 2022 at 8:01 pm

          4 stars
          Very tasty but my mixture remained fairly granular and not very sticky. So it was challenging to get the balls to stay firm. Any suggestions, maybe some liquid to soften my dates?? Thank you 😊

        • Maria

          December 19, 2022 at 8:10 pm

          Thanks for your comment Colette. Did you use Medjool dates? This happened to me once when I bought a “box of dates” at the grocery store instead of the Medjool dates I usually get from Costco. Yes, perhaps soaking the chopped dates in a tablespoon or so of orange juice might soften them. Appreciate your comment.

    3. Mary Frances Ellison

      December 07, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks for this recipe – I’ve been looking for it for ages! My mom made these back in the late 1970s/early 1980s and she certainly subscribed to Homemakers magazine (we were from Burlington, Ont); I have a childhood memory of the sugar coating having a pinkish hue … I suppose I could try to find a coloured sanding sugar!

      Happy Holidays

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 07, 2017 at 1:06 pm

        My pleasure Mary 🙂 I was very disappointed when Homemakers magazine closed up shop. A colored sanding sugar would definitely make it festive looking. Hope it brings back some fond memories. Best holiday wishes to you and yours! Thanks for dropping by 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ayngelina Brogan

      November 17, 2016 at 12:59 am

      I usually avoid making dessert because there are so many opportunities for it to go wrong but these look really easy to make!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 17, 2016 at 8:23 pm

        Yes! They are really easy to make …and take no time at all. Appreciate your comment Ayngelina 🙂

        Reply
    5. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)

      November 16, 2016 at 6:36 am

      I have a number of similar recipes in my repertoire and I love them at holiday time because 1. they are so easy to make and 2. they are gluten free which is useful for when your guests can’t eat gluten – so many holiday dessert tables are full of things they can’t eat!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 16, 2016 at 7:09 am

        I totally agree! It’s so much fun to offer choices to guests during the holiday season. Appreciate your comment 🙂

        Reply
    6. Carrie

      November 16, 2016 at 6:29 am

      A no-bake holiday treat for the cookie plate? That is genius!! Love how these glitter on the plate, I think that they will be a great addition to our cookie plates this year!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 16, 2016 at 7:07 am

        Thanks Carrie! Hope you like them! Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂

        Reply
    7. Marie-Pierre Breton

      November 16, 2016 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      I’m all about almond for dessert! and plum or dates with it just is the perfect match! With a touch of yours (cinnamon) and nutmeg to make it a perfect contender for the desserts table this holiday season!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 16, 2016 at 5:47 am

        I am like you Marie-Pierre…I love using almonds! Appreciate your comment 🙂

        Reply
    8. Barbarito-Levitt Paula

      November 14, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      Absolutely every ingredient that I adore – gluten free and vegan as well. In one delicious bite you have brought your readers something quite special.

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 14, 2016 at 9:47 pm

        You are too kind …thanks so much Paula 🙂

        Reply
    9. Diane

      November 13, 2016 at 4:25 pm

      Quelle belle recette, j’ai hâte de la faire pour mes réceptions du Temps des Fêtes. Merci Maria pour le partage!

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 13, 2016 at 9:15 pm

        Toujours un plaisir Diane! Merci 🙂

        Reply
    10. Mary

      November 13, 2016 at 7:49 am

      And it’s gluten free! ! Yay!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Maria

        November 13, 2016 at 9:59 am

        Yes!!! Enjoy Mary! Thanks for dropping by ♥

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Maria from She loves biscotti

    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian (retired) and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

    More about me →

    Subscribe and Follow

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    RHUBARB RECIPES

    • Sliced rhubarb cake on a wooden board.
      Easy Rhubarb Coffee Cake Recipe with Buttermilk
    • A pile of rhubarb muffins.
      Rhubarb Muffins with Buttermilk
    • Strawberry rhubarb compote in a white dish.
      Strawberry Rhubarb Compote Recipe
    • Fresh rhubarb cut into pieces on a wooden board.
      How to Freeze Rhubarb: A Step-by-Step Guide
    Banner of sites featuring She Loves Biscotti including Buzzfeed, Huffpost, etc.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 She Loves Biscotti INC

    Copyright © 2025

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Read moreOkNo