These sweet treats are old-world confections make with a combination of pureed dried fruits (plums and others) and nuts, rolled into a ball and coated with sugar. I found many different recipes on the NPR website and then took the liberty of making my own version with things that I had sitting in my cupboards.
Christmas bonus: No cooking is required! I'm sure that Santa would enjoy a healthier treat when he visits your house this year!
Sugar Plums
Makes ~14
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup apple juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
Dash ground allspice
Dash ground cloves
1/4 cup chopped pitted dates
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup chopped pitted prunes
2 Tbsp dried unsweetened coconut
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 Tbsp finely crushed pistachios
Place walnuts and apple juice into a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours, until slightly softened. Drain apple juice and place walnuts into a food processor. Add spices, zest, lemon juice, dried fruits, honey and coconut. Mix until a puree is formed.
Combine powdered sugar and crushed pistachios in a bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
Remove ~1 Tbsp fruit mixture and roll into a small ball. Place on waxed paper. Repeat with remaining mixture. With clean hands, roll each ball in sugar mixture, then roll in hands to evenly coat. Place onto a plate. Repeat with all balls.
Refrigerate sugar plums for ~1 hour prior to serving. Store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Info per 1 ball: 78 calories, 3 g fat, 2 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber
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