If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s quick, flavorful, and totally addictive, you’re in the right place. This Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe is one of my favorite little delights to whip up when I want something sweet but wholesome. It’s a nostalgic nod to holiday classic flavors with a fresh twist, and trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made sugar plums at home before!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple Prep: You just toss everything in a food processor and shape—no baking required!
Natural Sweetness with a Twist: The plums and warm spices hit all the nostalgic holiday notes without feeling heavy.
Customizable to Your Taste: You can add nuts, adjust sugar, or spice it up more, making it your own.
Perfect for Gifting or Snacking: These little gems keep well and make a charming homemade gift or party snack.

A collection of small, round dark brown balls covered with white powder arranged in a white parchment paper at the bottom left corner, next to them a small white bowl filled with white powder with a single dark ball on top and a silver spoon resting inside it, above and to the right is a small white plate with a pile of orange-brown powder and some powder spilled over the edge, a silver spoon lies next to this plate. On the bottom right is a packet labeled

Ingredients You’ll Need

The combination of dried plums, warm spices, and a little citrus zest really makes these sugar plums sing. I always recommend fresh spices and good quality plums because they shine through in such a simple recipe.

Flat lay of fresh whole French plums with deep reddish-purple skin, a small pile of toasted pecan halves, a small white bowl of warm brown ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of finely cut dried orange peel pieces, a small white bowl of dark brown ground clove powder, a small white bowl with a splash of pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fine white table salt, a small white bowl filled with coarse raw sugar crystals all arranged symmetrically on a simple white ceramic plate and dishes placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Easy Homemade Sugar Plums, festive holiday treats, homemade holiday candies, no-bake Christmas sweets, flavorful holiday snacks

Fruit Bliss French Plums: These dried plums are naturally sweet and soft, perfect for creating a luscious base.
Pecans (toasted, optional): Adds a lovely crunch and nutty depth, but you can leave them out if you prefer.
Ground cinnamon: Just the right hint of warm spice that complements the plums beautifully.
Finely cut dried orange peel: This touch of citrus lifts the whole flavor, giving it a bright, fresh note.
Ground clove: A little goes a long way to deepen the spice profile—don’t skip it!
Pure vanilla extract: Brings everything together with its smooth, sweet aroma.
Table salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.
Granulated sugar or raw sugar: For rolling the balls so they get that classic sugary coating and a little crunch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe is. Whether you’re cutting down on sugar or want to add a personal twist, there are some fun ways to make it your own.

Nut-Free Version: I’ve made this without pecans for a nut allergy-friendly option, and it still tastes fantastic — just a bit smoother in texture.
Spice Adjustments: Sometimes I up the cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg for an extra cozy vibe, especially during the holidays.
Sweetener Swap: If you prefer, swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar or even finely chopped dates for a less processed finish.
Adding Coconut: Rolling the sugar plums in shredded coconut instead of sugar offers a tropical twist that my family goes wild for.

How to Make Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe

Step 1: Blend Your Ingredients Just Right

Pop the dried plums, toasted pecans if you’re using them, cinnamon, dried orange peel, clove, vanilla, and salt into your food processor. Give everything a few quick pulses — you want it combined but not a total puree. I learned the hard way that overprocessing makes the mixture too pasty and hard to shape later on.

Step 2: Chill and Scoop Spoonfuls

Spread out a piece of parchment on a plate or baking sheet. Spoon out about 13 one-inch mounds of the mixture, just like you would cookie dough. Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes—this helps them firm up so rolling is easier and less sticky.

Step 3: Roll and Coat in Sugar

Pour the granulated sugar into a shallow dish. Using your palms, gently roll each chilled spoonful into a ball, then roll it in the sugar coating with your fingertips. Keeping the mixture cold here is key, so don’t overwork the plums or they’ll warm up and get sticky. I usually work with just a couple at a time to keep things tidy.

Step 4: Serve or Store

Serve these immediately for that perfect fresh bite—or store in the fridge. They keep well for several days, and the flavors deepen as they rest. I’ve even packed them for road trips and holiday gatherings, and they’re always a crowd-pleaser.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe

Don’t Overpulse: Keeping the texture a little chunky adds great mouthfeel and makes rolling easier.
Chill Before Rolling: The chilling step helped me avoid sticky fingers and shapeless sugar plums—it’s a game changer.
Use Fresh Spices: I always find that fresher cinnamon and clove bring the best flavor here.
Keep Your Hands Cool: If your hands warm the mixture too much, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes during rolling.

How to Serve Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe

A pyramid stack of round dark brown balls coated lightly with sugar, resting on crumpled white paper inside a shallow white plate, with a fine dusting of powder on some of the balls giving a slightly rough texture, set against a blurred background including hints of red, green, and white colors that suggest a festive scene, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Homemade Sugar Plums, festive holiday treats, homemade holiday candies, no-bake Christmas sweets, flavorful holiday snacks

Garnishes

I love dusting these sugar plums with just a little extra cinnamon right before serving—it smells incredible and adds a warm, inviting look. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I add a sprinkle of finely chopped candied ginger on top for a zingy surprise.

Side Dishes

These pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea or mulled wine. At holiday brunch, I serve them alongside creamy ricotta toast or a simple bowl of yogurt with fresh fruit for a sweet and satisfying combo.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas is placing the sugar plums in festive mini paper cups on a tiered serving tray—so cute for holiday parties! You can also arrange them on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of rosemary and orange slices for a rustic, elegant spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sugar plums in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep their texture well for about a week, and the flavor actually gets even better as the spices mingle with the plums over time.

Freezing

If I want to stock up, I freeze the shaped balls before rolling them in sugar. Just freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want a treat, roll the thawed balls in sugar and serve.

Reheating

Because these are no-bake and best served chilled or room temperature, I usually just let frozen ones thaw naturally—no reheating needed. If you want them softer, a quick 10-minute sit-out does the trick.

FAQs

Can I use other dried fruits instead of French plums for this sugar plums recipe?

Absolutely! While dried French plums give an authentic rich flavor and natural sweetness, you can substitute with dried apricots, dates, or even dried cherries. Just make sure they’re soft and not too tough, or soak them briefly to soften before processing.
Do I have to toast the pecans?

Toasting pecans isn’t mandatory, but I recommend it because it intensifies their flavor and adds a nice crunch. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the taste will be milder.
Why do I need to chill the mixture before rolling?

Chilling firms up the mixture, making it less sticky and easier to roll into neat balls. This step prevents the sugar plums from falling apart or warming up too much while shaping.
How long do homemade sugar plums keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they keep well for up to one week. Their flavor improves as they sit, but if you want them longer, freezing is a great option.

Final Thoughts

Making these Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe has become a little holiday ritual for me. I love how they bring back those cozy Christmas flavors but in a fresh, homemade way that’s quick and approachable. Plus, they’re a fantastic conversation starter at any party because they’re not your usual cookie or candy. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try—I’m sure once you taste that perfect mix of plums, spice, and sugar, you’ll be hooked just like I am!

Easy Homemade Sugar Plums Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 63 reviews

Author: Villerius
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 13 sugar plums
Category: Dessert, Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This easy homemade sugar plums recipe is a delightful Christmas classic featuring dried plums combined with warming spices, nuts, and a hint of orange peel. These naturally sweet and chewy treats are coated with sugar and perfect for holiday gifting or snacking.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

10 oz Fruit Bliss French Plums (2 packs of 5 oz each, about 2 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup pecans, toasted (optional)
2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
1 tsp finely cut dried orange peel
3/4 tsp ground clove
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar or raw sugar

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, add the dried plums, toasted pecans (if using), cinnamon, dried orange peel, ground clove, vanilla extract, and salt. Pulse several times until the mixture is combined but still has some texture, avoiding over-pureeing.
Form the Balls: Lay a piece of parchment paper over a plate or baking sheet. Using a spoon, drop 13 spoonfuls (about 1 inch each) of the plum mixture onto the parchment paper. Place the plate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill and firm up the mixture.
Roll and Coat: Pour the sugar into a shallow dish. Remove the chilled plum mixture from the fridge. Using your palms, gently roll each spoonful into a neat ball. Then, roll each ball in the sugar using your fingertips to evenly coat. Work quickly to keep the balls cold and maintain their shape. Arrange the coated sugar plums on a serving plate.
Serve: These sugar plums are best served immediately or kept chilled until ready to enjoy.

Notes

Quick and easy homemade sugar plums recipe, perfect for Christmas.
The combination of dried plums, warming spices, and citrus makes this a festive, tasty treat.
Toasted pecans add texture but are optional.
Be careful not to over-process the plums to keep a pleasant texture.
Keep sugar plums chilled to maintain shape and freshness.