If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat that packs the warm flavors of winter and the sparkle of the holidays, you’ve got to try this Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe. They’re chewy, fragrant, and just the right balance of sweet and spice — perfect to whip up ahead for a Christmas party or cozy afternoon nibbling. I’m so excited to share my tried-and-true method that’s always a crowd-pleaser, and trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a seasonal must-have in your kitchen, too.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The mixture of dried fruits, spices, and toasted nuts creates a complex yet harmonious taste that feels festive and comforting.
No-Bake and Easy Prep: You don’t need an oven — just a food processor and some simple hands-on rolling, making it super convenient around busy holiday times.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These plum balls get better with time, allowing the flavors to mature beautifully overnight or even a couple of days in the fridge.
Versatile Ingredients: The recipe lets you swap nuts and fruits based on what you have, so it’s flexible and forgiving without sacrificing flavor.

Festive Sugar Plum Balls, holiday Christmas treats, no-bake holiday cookies, winter party candies, seasonal dessert bites - The image shows a white plate with a pile of round, sugar-coated balls that have a rough texture from the sugar crystals. There are about ten balls in the pile, with colors mostly in dark purple, reddish-brown, and a couple in a greenish shade. One of the dark purple balls near the center has a small green leaf on its side. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. The photo zooms in closely to highlight the sugar crystals and texture of the balls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here blend natural sweetness, spice, and a bit of tangy freshness to emulate those classic holiday sugar plums — all without the fuss. Each element plays a role, especially the brandy, which adds a grown-up depth. When you pick your dried fruits, look for soft, plump ones to get the best texture without extra soaking time.

Festive Sugar Plum Balls, holiday Christmas treats, no-bake holiday cookies, winter party candies, seasonal dessert bites - Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl of mixed dried figs, dates, and raisins, a small white bowl filled with glistening crystallized ginger pieces, a handful of whole almonds, pistachios in shells, and pine nuts arranged neatly on the side, a whole large fresh orange with zest scattered alongside a small white bowl of bright orange juice, a separate small white bowl containing ground cinnamon, another small white bowl with ground cardamom, a small white bowl of ground ginger powder, a small white bowl filled with caraway seeds, and a tiny white bowl holding ground cloves, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical, 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

Dried Fruit (figs, dates, raisins): They provide natural sweetness and chewiness, acting like the glue that binds everything together.
Crystalized Ginger: Adds a spicy kick and little bursts of zing that cut through the sweetness.
Nuts (almonds, pistachios, pine nuts): Give texture and a hint of earthiness; toasting them enhances their flavor tremendously.
Orange Zest & Juice: Brings a fresh citrus brightness that lightens the rich fruit and nut mixture.
Brandy: Optional but highly recommended for warmth and a touch of sophistication.
Spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, caraway seeds, cloves): These traditional mulling spices infuse the plum balls with holiday cheer and complexity.
Granulated Sugar: Coats each ball for a festive sparkle and a little extra sweet crunch on the outside.

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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.

Make It Your Way

What’s great about this Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I usually stick to the classic dried fruit and nut combo, but sometimes I like to add a pinch of chili powder for a little unexpected warmth. Don’t hesitate to experiment — it’s your kitchen after all!

Variation: One year, I swapped the brandy for rum, and it gave the balls a slightly sweeter, tropical vibe that my family loved.
Nut-Free: If you want to avoid nuts, try adding extra dried fruit or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a different crunch.
Extra Zing: Feel free to toss in some orange marmalade or lemon zest for a citrus twist that’s bright and refreshing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe

Step 1: Soak and Infuse the Dried Fruits

I start by mixing all my dried fruits — figs, dates, and raisins — with freshly grated orange zest, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and brandy if I’m using it. This is key because the fruit softens and absorbs all those lovely citrus and brandy notes, making the texture supple and the flavor rich. Let this soak while you move on to the nuts. Trust me, giving the fruit time to soak is a small step that makes a huge difference.

Step 2: Toast Those Spiced Nuts

While the fruit rests, I drizzle my chosen nuts — almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts — with a mixture of cinnamon, cardamom, ground ginger, caraway seeds, and a touch of cloves. Then, I toast these in a dry pan for about 5 minutes until they smell toasted and golden. This toasting step elevates the nuts’ flavor and adds a lovely crunch to the final plum balls.

Step 3: Blend to Thick, Moldable Paste

Once the nuts have cooled for a couple of minutes, I toss everything — soaked fruit mixture, spiced nuts, and crystallized ginger — into my food processor. Pulse it until the mixture thickens into a paste that you can easily shape with your hands. You want it sticky but firm enough to hold its shape when rolled.

Step 4: Roll, Chill, and Sugar Coat

I roll the paste into plum-sized balls (about the size of a walnut), then roll them in granulated sugar for that festive sparkle. These get a good overnight chill in the fridge, which helps set their shape and improve the flavor meld. The next day, I roll them again in sugar to make sure they’re perfectly coated and ready to share.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Quality Dried Fruit: I’ve learned that using plump, fresh dried fruit (not rock hard) saves you soaking time and results in better texture.
Don’t Skip Toasting Nuts: This little extra step dramatically boosts the nutty aroma and crunch — it’s worth the 5 minutes.
Chill Thoroughly: Letting the plum balls chill overnight makes rolling easier and deepens the flavors.
Handle Sticky Mixture with Clean Hands: Occasionally dipping your fingers in water helps prevent sticking and keeps your balls perfectly round.

How to Serve Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe

Festive Sugar Plum Balls, holiday Christmas treats, no-bake holiday cookies, winter party candies, seasonal dessert bites - The image shows four small round dark brown sweets with a rough texture and some small light bits inside, placed on a white bowl and a red cloth. Two sweets are inside the bowl, each topped with a small green leaf, sitting close side by side. Two more sweets are on the red cloth next to the bowl, with one of them cut to show the inside, revealing a dense, nutty texture with pieces of light-colored nuts visible. The background is a white marbled texture with soft natural light, giving a cozy and warm feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to dust these plum balls lightly with extra sugar for shimmer, but sometimes I sprinkle crushed pistachios on top to add a pretty pop of green and extra texture. If it’s a party, adding edible gold dust can really elevate the presentation—trust me, it wows every time!

Side Dishes

These sweet, fruity bites pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea or mulled wine during the holidays. If you’re setting up a dessert tray, add slices of aged cheddar or sharp blue cheese—it’s surprisingly good with the sugar plums, balancing sweet and savory like a charm.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, I like to nestle the sugar plum balls in small cupcake liners or in a glass jar layered with tissue paper. You can tie little tags with the name and date, making them a charming homemade gift. Another idea? Thread them onto skewers with fresh berries for a playful, elegant dessert kabob.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover sugar plum balls in an airtight container in the fridge, where they stay fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks. The longer they sit, the more the flavors marry, so really, it’s worth making them in advance to enjoy that depth.

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I arrange the plum balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for about 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in the fridge, and they taste just like fresh.

Reheating

Since this is a no-bake treat, reheating isn’t necessary, but if you prefer them a bit softer on a chilly day, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. They soften nicely without losing their shape or flavor.

FAQs

Can I make the Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe without a food processor?

You can, but it will take a bit more elbow grease! Finely chop your dried fruits and nuts by hand and then mix everything together thoroughly. The paste won’t be quite as smooth, but the flavor remains delicious, and the texture will be pleasantly rustic.
What can I substitute for brandy in this recipe?

If you prefer to skip the brandy, you can use dark rum, orange juice only, or even a splash of maple syrup for sweetness. The alcohol helps with depth of flavor but isn’t essential.
How long do these sugar plum balls keep?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks — perfect for making ahead of holiday events.
Can I use other nuts besides almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts?

Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts all work wonderfully. Just toast them lightly to bring out their flavor before blending.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Sugar Plum Balls Recipe has become my little seasonal secret — it’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and everyone always asks for the recipe. I hope you find the same joy in making (and eating) these as I do. So, gather your ingredients, put on some holiday tunes, and dive in — your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!