This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This small batch sugar plums recipe features dried fruit, nuts, honey, and warm spices blended into a festive no bake treat. These bite-sized holiday sweets come together quickly and bring classic Christmas flavor to any celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Traditional: Inspired by the classic holiday poem, these no bake sugar plums bring nostalgic charm to any Christmas celebration.
- Quick to Make: Everything blends together in a food processor, giving you an easy holiday treat in just a few minutes.
- Easy to Customize: Use different dried fruits, nuts, spices, or a chocolate drizzle to create your perfect flavor.
- Great for Gifting: Their pretty coating and bite-sized shape make them ideal for holiday gifts or party snacks.
- Small Batch Recipe: Makes 10 to 12 sugar plums, the ideal amount when you want a homemade treat without making too much.
- Naturally Sweetened: Dried fruit, nuts, and honey give these sugar plums a sweet, balanced flavor without feeling too heavy.
Sugar plums have always felt like a little piece of Christmas magic to me. This small batch version brings that same nostalgic charm without the work of a traditional candy recipe.
Everything comes together in the food processor, and the blend of dried fruits, nuts, honey, and warm spices creates a flavorful holiday treat in just minutes.
I love how easy they are to customize, whether you want a hint of citrus, a chocolate drizzle, or a different mix of fruits.
Their powdered sugar coating makes them beautiful for gifting, and the batch size is just right when you want something festive without making too much. These no bake sugar plums are simple, pretty, and filled with classic holiday flavor.
Enjoy more small batch holiday treats like our mini gingerbread loaf, small batch fudge, small batch peppermint bark, and shortbread bites. Each one is easy to make and perfect for a festive treat.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this sugar plums recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Walnuts: These add crunch and balance the sweetness. Use almonds or pecans if you prefer a different flavor. Any extra nuts can be used in banana nut bread for one, a maple walnut muffin, small batch gingerbread granola, and mini pecan pie.
- Dried Fruits: Figs, apricots, and dates create the natural sweetness and chewy texture that define traditional sugar plums. Raisins or dried cranberries work well if you’d like to change the flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: A handful of chocolate adds richness. You can leave them out or use dark chocolate for a less sweet option. Leftover chips are great in a single serve chocolate lava cake, a single chocolate chip muffin, and small batch chocolate chip cookies.
- Honey: Honey helps bind the mixture so the sugar plums hold their shape. Maple syrup or agave are reliable substitutes.
- Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice bring the warm holiday flavor sugar plums are known for. Adjust the amount to suit your taste. These spices are also wonderful in chicken shawarma for one, small batch apple butter, Swedish meatballs for one, and jerk chicken for one.
- Powdered Sugar: Rolling the sugar plums in powdered sugar gives them a classic, snowy finish. For a different coating, try finely ground nuts or cocoa powder.
- Granulated Sugar and Food Coloring: These are optional for decorating. Even without this step, the sugar plums will be sweet, spiced, and delicious.
Recipe Variations
Try these easy ways to customize your sugar plums:
- Nut Free: Use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts for a nut-free holiday treat.
- Different Spices: Change the flavor by adding nutmeg or ginger. These warm spices pair well with the dried fruit and make the sugar plums even more festive.
- Chocolate Coating: Dip the sugar plums in melted chocolate for a richer no bake treat.
- Citrus Flavor: Stir in a little lemon or orange zest for a bright, fresh addition.
- Oatmeal Version: Add a spoonful of oats for a more filling, snack-style sugar plum.
How To Make Sugar Plums
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the walnuts, figs, apricots, dates, chocolate chips, honey, and spices to a food processor. Pulse a few times to break everything into small pieces.
- Blend the Mixture: Process for about 30 seconds. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl so all ingredients mix evenly.
- Form the Mixture: Continue processing for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture starts to gather into a soft, cohesive ball.
- Shape the Sugar Plums: Roll the mixture into small balls. Coat each one in powdered sugar or colored sugar.
- Make Colored Sugar (Optional): Divide granulated sugar between two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and green to the other, using 1 to 2 drops each. Stir until the color is evenly distributed.
- Store: Place the sugar plums in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. They can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Yield: This recipe makes about 10 to 12 sugar plums. For uniform shapes, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, which typically gives 12 evenly sized sugar plums.
RELATED: The Best Cookie Recipes For One
Expert Tips
- Process Until Sticky: Blend long enough for the mixture to form a soft, sticky ball. If it still looks crumbly, process for another 15 to 30 seconds.
- Use Fresh Dried Fruit: Dried fruit should be soft and pliable. If it feels tough, soak it in warm water for 5 minutes, then pat dry before using. This helps the mixture blend smoothly.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sugar plum, use dark chocolate or add a few extra nuts to balance the dried fruit.
- Shape with Damp Hands: Lightly dampen your hands before rolling the mixture. This prevents sticking and helps form smooth, even sugar plums.
- Chill for Better Texture: Refrigerate the sugar plums for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps them firm up and makes the flavors more pronounced.
- Try Different Coatings: Powdered sugar is classic, but rolling them in finely ground nuts or cocoa powder adds a different look and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sugar plums are typically made from dried fruits, nuts, honey, and warm spices blended together and rolled in sugar.
Yes, sugar plums are a classic holiday sweet often associated with Christmas and the poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
No, they are a no bake recipe. The mixture comes together in a food processor.
They stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in a covered container.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch sugar plums recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Small Batch Sugar Plums
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup dried figs
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ½ cup dried dates
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for rolling)
- red and green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Add the walnuts, figs, apricots, dates, chocolate chips, honey, and spices to a food processor. Pulse a few times, then process for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides.
- Continue processing for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture forms a sticky ball.
- Scoop small portions and roll them into bite-sized balls.
- Divide granulated sugar between two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, using 1 to 2 drops each. Stir until evenly colored.
- Roll each sugar plum in the colored sugar or use powdered sugar for a classic coating.
- Serve right away or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Process Until Sticky: Blend long enough for the mixture to form a soft, sticky ball. If it still looks crumbly, process for another 15 to 30 seconds.
- Use Fresh Dried Fruit: Dried fruit should be soft and pliable. If it feels tough, soak it in warm water for 5 minutes, then pat dry before using. This helps the mixture blend smoothly.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sugar plum, use dark chocolate or add a few extra nuts to balance the dried fruit.
- Shape with Damp Hands: Lightly dampen your hands before rolling the mixture. This prevents sticking and helps form smooth, even sugar plums.
- Chill for Better Texture: Refrigerate the sugar plums for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps them firm up and makes the flavors more pronounced.
- Try Different Coatings: Powdered sugar is classic, but rolling them in finely ground nuts or cocoa powder adds a different look and flavor.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These are so cute. I never knew what sugar plums were. Now I can make them.
These sound great! And they’re a lovely way to sneak in some fruits this holiday season 🙂 In between cookies, of course.
These are so colorful and fun. I just took my son to see the Nutcracker for the first time a couple weeks ago and the sugar plum fairy was his favorite so I can see him being all over these!
The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for us — as spectators, not dancers and the dance of the sugar plum fairies was always my favorite. I never knew what sugar plums were before, so thanks for clearing that up — and for the lovely, festive recipe!
What a great recipe! I love that it’s scaled for small batches!
I always wondered what sugar plums were! What a delicious and festive treat!
These are super cute! Remind me of ornaments.
Thank you, Matt. They’re so festive and fun!
That is just beyond awesome! Both of my kids will think this is the most awesome idea ever and I can’t wait to share it with them!