Compensation for this sponsored post was provided by KitchenAid® and BlogHer. As always, all views and opinions, as well as the recipes herein, are my own.
I've always been down for a good challenge. Unless it was in P.E. class when they did that whole presidential fitness award thing. Mile run? Uhm yea, no way. I hate running. Pull-ups? Haha, I didn't stand a chance.
But a challenge in the kitchen? That I can do. I'm all over it. I was super excited when the cool people over at KitchenAid® challenged me to SAY YUM WITH SUGAR PLUMS. Absolutely. Let's do this! Just wait, uhm, what exactly is a sugar plum?
And that's exactly what this challenge is all about. We have all heard of sugar plums. It's kind of a big deal around Christmas time, as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker or the famous line in "Twas the Night Before Christmas" will tell you. But has anyone actually seen, or more importantly, tasted a sugar plum?! Ah, the elusive little bugger. Let's crack this challenge.
A little short and sweet history lesson... It appears sugar plums are no plums at all. And if we lived in England in like the 1600-1800s, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. We would already know it's just another name for a dragee or comfit.
Don't know what dragees or comfits are? Yea, neither did I. They're just a type of candy where a seed or other goodie of choice was enrobed in layer after layer of thin coats of melted sugar, which would then harden on top of one another to form a piece of candy. Think jawbreakers or Jordan almonds. You get the picture.
Back in the day, before the whole Industrial Revolution rise of the machines thing, this was an incredibly tedious process all done by hand. It was a big pain in the rear end, which made these little confections pretty luxurious and expensive.
So why the term sugar plum? Initially, the candies might have resembled the actual plum in size and shape. But after a while, sugar plum started being used in everyday vernacular, like when I affectionately call my wife honey or someone goes insulting another by calling them a chicken.
Apparently, if your "mouth was full of sugar plums", you spoke sweet words of unsure truth. If you "stuffed another's mouth with sugar plums", you were bribing them. If you were called a sugar plum, you were wealthy.
See, wasn't all that interesting? Sugar plum isn't just some cutesy Christmas lingo. If you're interested in more sugar plum history, head over here to this article. That's where I got most of my intel.
But really, what I really wanted to know was... what's in these things?! From a look across the interwebs, all the recipes have a couple things in common. There's some dried fruit, some sort of nuts, a bit of honey, and a dash of a few spices. Roll them up into balls, coat them in sugar or shredded coconut, and you have yourself some sugar plums.
Now I've never experienced an actual fruitcake, but I imagine sugar plums are pretty much like fruitcake rolled up into ball form (sans the whole gluten-laden cake part). Or maybe more accurately, one of those fruit and nut energy bars rolled up into a ball.
I'll give you my take on a sugar plum recipe below, but there's a whole lot of variation you could go with to make them all personal. Feel free to use whatever kinds of nuts or dried fruit you're into. You could also get all crazy with the spices and try cocoa powder, allspice, cardamom, or ground caraway or fennel seeds. Maybe even a dash of vanilla or almond extract. Choices, choices.
Making sugar plums could be a big pain to make if you had to chop everything by hand. It wouldn't be fun at all. But you know what makes super quick work of it all? Like literally takes every ounce of difficulty and prep work out of the process? My beautiful workhorse of the kitchen. My food processor. Specifically, my 13-cup KitchenAid® 13-Cup Food Processor. It's pretty amazing. And it looks great next to my KitchenAid® Stand Mixer 🙂
$200 Visa Gift Card Giveaway
You wouldn't be interested in a $200 Visa gift card, would you? Yea, I didn't think you wo.... oh, oh, you are interested? 🙂 To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me how you SAY YUM WITH SUGAR PLUMS or how you recently conquered your own personal cooking challenge in the kitchen — or look below to find out other ways you can enter for a chance to win.
Sweepstakes Rules: No duplicate comments.
Say Yum To Sugar Plums
- Yield: approximately 14-16 Sugar Plums 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almonds, toasted
- ½ cup dried plums (prunes)
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- ½ teaspoon teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- Kosher salt
- Coarse sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Add almonds, dried plums, dried apricots, dried cranberries, dried cherries, and orange zest in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is finely chopped.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and a pinch of Kosher salt.
- Add honey and the fruit and nut mixture to the medium bowl. Wearing gloves (or spraying hands with nonstick cooking spray), fully combine all ingredients. Roll into small 1" balls and coat in coarse sugar.
Taylor says
Ok, I actually did not know that sugar plums were a real thing! I definitely just thought they were a made up song thing. These are super pretty Chris! Plus, they look simple and easy...always a fan of that. Totally intrigued by the idea of a real sugar plum!
Chris says
Glad I wasn't the only one Taylor! And yes, they are super easy to make... especially if you have a super-duper food processor 🙂
Diane Thompson says
I've been looking for energy balls and this looks fantastic! Can't wait to try them. Plus it will be a great addition to our regular Christmas cookie selection.
Chris says
Thanks so much Diane! Yes, they are full of dried fruit and nuts, so you'll have plenty of energy 🙂
Cassie says
These look amazing, can't wait to try them.
Chris says
Thanks Cassie!
Kelly D says
I conquered my personal cooking challenge by looking up recipes in which I can bake chicken cutlets for my husband and daughter. I eat a mostly meatless diet and I was always afraid I would undercook or overcook meat by frying it, plus it was so messy. Now I bread the chicken and baked it for the required amount of time and it comes out perfect.
Chris says
Sounds great Kelly! I'm always on the look out for new chicken recipes. Baking is definitely a quick and easy way to go for weeknight dinner meals!
Kelly D says
tweeted under kellysaver on twitter at 9:57 AM - 18 Dec 13
It won't let me post the direct link to my tweet.
Thanks!
Yankee Kitchen Ninja (Julianne) says
SO COOL! I had no idea what sugar plums were either. They look right up my alley, though, with all the dried fruit (I'm nutty for prunes and apricots).
Chris says
Oh Ninj, you and your witty puns: "nutty for prunes and apricots"... and sugar plums have almonds in them. I get it. Hahaha 🙂
Erin says
Chris, these are absolutely stunning! Your photography is magazine-worthy. I see what you mean about these being similar to my recent nugget recipe! Mmm. These look so tasty. I think the biggest challenge I've conquered in the kitchen was choosing to start a food blog. And sticking with it! Definitely an adventure. 🙂
Chris says
Thanks so much Erin! Totally made my day with your super nice comment 🙂 Yes, so similar to your Egyptian Nugget recipe!
Mami2jcn says
I have never tried sugar plums. They sound great! I'd love these for the holidays.
Mami2jcn says
tweeted--twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/413433766745350144
Rea Liz says
Wow! These look great! My biggest adventure was making peanut butter balls, and yes those are fairly easy....but I am new to cooking! 🙂
Chris says
You totally can't go wrong with Peanut Butter Balls! Those sound awesome!
Rea Liz says
It wont let me post my tweet: but I posted under reatex123 at 5:43 on 12/18.
Lisa says
I just made my first ever homemade pie crust! So proud!
Michelle says
These look great! I didn't know all those facts about sugar plums 🙂
Just got finished with 4 hours of baking cookies myself- with my KitchenAide of course! Thanks as always Chris!
Chris says
I haven't even started my cookie baking yet! Ahhhh! I'll be spending lots of time doing that tomorrow and Saturday!
Jillian says
These look delicious!! I can't wait for break to start so I can try some!! I had no idea you were into this kind of thing!
Jessie C. says
I have never tried sugar plums, they look so delicious!
Jessie C. says
-twee-twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/413532404285194240
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Love the info on sugar plums. Didn't think they were a real thing --haha! I do however love fruits and nuts so this recipe is right up my alley. Gorgeous photos too. Pinned!
Chris says
Thanks so much Anne! Glad to know I'm not the only one who didn't know about sugar plums!
Sarah says
For Christmas a couple of years ago, my husband and parents bought me a pasta roller; I used it ALL the time - I made pasta weekly. Then I finally discovered that my chronic migraines were related to a gluten sensitivity. I thought I'd never eat fresh pasta again. This weekend, my good friend came over and we tried our hand at homemade gluten-free pasta - and it turned out tasty! The texture isn't perfect yet, but I will modify the recipe and keep trying.
Chris says
Wow fresh gluten-free pasta! Please share that recipe with me!! Sounds great Sarah!
Sarah says
Once I perfect the recipe, I'll post it and send you a link! Soon, I hope:)
Sara says
My biggest cooking challenge so far is probably making nut brittle last year for Christmas! I had to break out the candy thermometer and hope that I wouldn't burn myself with hot sugar!
Chris says
Mmmm that sounds great Sara! Love breaking out the candy thermometer!
Nicole says
Wow, very informative post. Apparently I've been making sugar plums for years and didn't know it! Oh, and my most recent cooking challenge was to make a cake that didn't look awful. Cakes are my Kryptonite!
Chris says
Thanks so much Nicole! Haha, you've been making them without even knowing it! Hahaha... well you could always just put a scoop of ice cream on top of the cake and call it a day. I know how much you love making ice cream 🙂
Caitlin says
I definitely learned a lot about sugar plums today! I had no idea they weren't an actual plum. I'm like you- love a challenge in the kitchen but not a physical challenge! That's why I stick to yoga- no competition 🙂 I recently moved to Switzerland and the biggest challenge is finding substitutes for my normal baking supplies! I recently had to make my own vanilla extract (they only have vanilla aroma), peppermint extract, and brown sugar. It's been a fun challenge, but sometimes I just want to go buy brown sugar at the store and call it a day!
Chris says
I had no idea either Caitlin! We learned together 🙂 Wow making your own brown sugar! That's awesome! I actually just bought supplies to make my own vanilla extract! I'm excited to try it!
Linda O'Riordan says
Chris, a very interesting idea. I will get ingredients & prepare it for Christmas Thank you
Lynn O'Riordan
Chris says
Thanks so much Lynn! Glad you like the idea!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Ok...you've got me again. I had NO idea what a sugarplum actually was either. Never even thought about it! Buuutt now that I know, I need to try 'em out! So pretty!
Courtney S. says
These look so amazing and would be the perfect treat to make for my family for Christmas!! I would LOVE a kitchen aid mixer with the giftcard too (:
Sandra says
Awesome giveaway!!! Had to get in on it 🙂 Sugar Plums are so yummy...I made them last year and I love the ingredients you used. I'll have to give them another go 🙂
Joy says
Love reading the history of the sugar plums! Yours look good -- I need to give them a try.
karen says
I recently made bagels - it was fun and easy!
Chris says
I've always wanted to make bagels! You have a good recipe?!
Nicole Larsen says
I am not a cook by any means and any job in the kitchen is a challenge lol--i recently cooked our thanksgiving turkey this year and it turned out fantastic! Challenge accepted and overcome!
Chris says
I have to admit... I actually never cooked a Thanksgiving turkey before. But my wife and I are thinking of hosting next year, so I might be having to overcome that challenge too in the near future!
Nicole Larsen says
tweeted but it won't let me leave the URL in this comment box
Liz Blunt says
Those sugar plums look delicious!
Tisha says
Totally would have never thought this was real, always been dreaming of sugar plums they kept dancing in my head! I guess they will be dancing in my kitchen next, then our mouths! Thank you for sharing all your amazing recipes. I recently have conquered my kitchen by buying the right tools for the job and narrowing down what "staples" are a must to keep around, otherwise my pantry became bogged down with stuff I only used once. Right after sugar plums, maybe after is your crack pie......that cookie butter leftover will soooooo not go to waste!
Chris says
Cookie butter will never go to waste 🙂 You can add it to... well... anything! Or just get a spoon and go to work on the jar 🙂 Love that you made a "pantry staples" list. I have so much pantry clutter right now of ingredients I only used once and I always get so mad at myself when I need to start throwing half-used stuff away.
zosia says
Sugar plums? I thought these only existed in fairy tales 😉
Thanks for the giveaway!
Cate says
What an interesting post! I was always kind of wondering abou tsugar plums! My most recent cooking conquest was homemade cinnamon rolls! I had always been a little scared of them, but they turned out great!
Chris says
Thanks so much Cate! Mmmm homemade cinnamon rolls! That reminds me of my mom... she used to make them every year at Christmas time for us when we were little. I should tell her to make them for me again 🙂
Ellen says
I make rugelach with dried apricots and walnuts. Not a raisin fan...These look lovely, Chris. Happy Holidays and thank you for such a wonderful giveaway! Ellen
P.S. Love my KA mixer...So much so I had her custom painted. 🙂
Chris says
Wait wait wait... a custom-painted mixer?! I need to see this. That's so awesome! And I'm totally not a raisin fan either... your rugelach sounds fantastic!
Susan M says
Thank you for the history of sugar plums. I thought they were just a very ripe plum. I would need a powerful food processor to make these.
Chris says
I had no idea what sugar plums were either until KitchenAid® issued me this challenge 🙂 My KitchenAid® food processor made really easy work of all the dried fruit and nuts. I highly recommend them.
Pamela says
Oh goodness, just the word of "sugar plums" makes me so happy. It reminds me of childhood sweets and happiness. Great post!
Chris says
Well, in that case.... sugar plum sugar plum sugar plum sugar plum sugar plum. Now you should be extra happy 🙂
Eugenie says
I recently made my own starter and baked my first sourdough bread. Came out great.
Chris says
That's so awesome... I tried to make my own starter a while back but then totally forgot to feed it regularly. I need to try it again!
Carol Sears says
Chris this "Sugar Plum" recipe looks very interesting.. I look for a new recipe every year for my Christmas baking. I think I am going to add this recipe to my list. I have made already 15 different cookies for the Christmas holiday. I am not finished yet.
I had to stop my baking tonight to make quiches, sausage and egg breakfast treat for the Para Christmas Breakfast for Woodhull tomorrow. Remember the good old days... Oh and i will bring in a cookie tray also... Carol
Chris says
Ah the good old days Carol! Enjoy your breakfast!
heather says
I recently conquered a personal cooking challenge in the kitchen by making an apple pie from scratch and it was yummy.
Chris says
mmmmm Apple Pie. I love apple pie 🙂
Lee says
I recently made my first creme brulee after buying a torch--what fun and simple.
Chris says
I love breaking out my kitchen torch... even if I have nothing to brulee. C'mon, aren't they so much fun?!
Serena B says
These little sugar plums remind me of something my Granny use to make <3 So pretty and delicious and a nice variation from traditional Christmas Candy.
Lisa Brown says
I am better with my cooking challenges, have not overcome them; I do not like cooking and have to motivate myself to do it. I keep recipes about and buy gadgets that will help make it easier and fun, if you can call cooking fun 🙂
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Lisa Brown says
my tweet twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/413997872305037312
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Janice says
These look great!! My personal challenge in the kitchen is space. So I recently hacked an IKEA sofa table by buying a large piece of wood, staining it black and attaching it to the top so it overhangs on one side creating a nice kitchen island. The overhang allows stools and people can sit and chat while I cook. 🙂
Chris says
What a cool idea Janice! You're a true DIY'er!
Ashley says
I totally thought sugar plums were just a made up thing for holiday cheer! ha! Shows how much I know : ) I've never had fruitcake either but these sugar plums sound pretty darn good!
Chris Litwin says
That looks like such a cool idea. I am def going to make this dish for Christmas.
Sarah Ochocki says
Wow, I can't believe I never knew what a sugar plum was!
My mom recently went gluten-free for her digestive health, so our challenge recently has been baking without gluten. Hopefully the new breadmaker she'll be unwrapping in a few days time will help!
Elena says
I recently made biscotti for the first time. I used to buy them, but now I like homemade ones better.
Elena says
tweet-twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/414133670308352001
Ashley H says
I made my first ever turkey this past Thanksgiving.
Sarah & Arkadi says
Simply delicious! We have not tried these yet!
Allison Downes says
These look so yummy! I have never heard of them or had them before. I would love to win this. Thank you for the chance!
lola_violets_2010{at}yahoo{dot}com
Margot C says
You would think I would have researched this myself given that I actually danced the sugar Plum Fairy's role in the Nutcracker when I was 18 (many moons ago!). No I confine my sweet magic to the kitchen and the toe shoes are hung up forever. Recently I made a chocolate ganache filling which was a bit of a challenge though we ate all of the test samples as well.
wild orchid says
I conquered a challenge recently when I finally made a delicious homemade lasagna!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
wild orchid says
tweet--https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/414420086796349440
Margot C says
I posted a tweet as well : https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/414287043980955648
Meryl says
They look great! I finally conquered my fear of yeast, and made a yeast bread.
Mahdi Martin says
I had fun conquering the challenge of chopping onions for my chicken salad yesterday. I just squinted my eyes and furiously chopped away with a Chinese cleaver. Then I quickly rinsed everything, mixed in the onions end swept the floor!
Susan Smith says
I just made my first home made apple pie. It came out good, even the crust.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/414568058972143617
tara pittman says
wow now I know what sugar plums are. I made cake pops.
tara pittman says
https://twitter.com/kj20082006/status/414632038449549312
Wanda McHenry says
I say yum to Sparkly Sugar Plums for Christmas
Wanda McHenry says
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/414657181666263040
James Felton Jr. says
These look great, love the holidays!!! Santa would love those!
C says
I love Sugar Plums, looks like a great recipe.
James says
Real sugar plums dance! We recently had our holiday party with friends. I cooked a turkey on a charcoal grill. Rubbed the turkey down with butter, rosemary salt and pepper. Stuffed the inside with Apple's and some of the abovementioned. After you commit to cooking a bird on a grill you will never want it any other way. Great site!
LAMusing says
I had no idea "Sugar Plums" were an actual confection! Bookmarking this so I can give them a try.
Norma says
Those sugar plums look yummy! And fairly healthy as well 🙂
Mindy Merenghi says
Tonight I made gingerbread cookies for the first time 🙂
Melanie says
Sugar plums...I thought it was all in a song. 🙂 I had no idea. What an interesting variety of flavors here. I'd love to try one!
Connor S says
I would you the juice to making a reduction or vinaigrette (they might my too large for a compote). It might be fun to puree them and incorporate it into a gnocchi (or other pasta batter) for a cool color and a sweet/dessert take on dinner.
TC says
lol! I also didn't know what sugar plums were. They look delicious!
wendy spencer says
Making a marvelous three layer cheesecake!
Rachel (Harmonious Homestead) says
Our most recent challenge has been to use up the dozens of butternut squash we grew this year.
Carol Evans says
I love the show & watch it daily!I will try to make the sugar plums & already have names for them! My names for 6 of them will be "Clinton,Carla,Daphne,Mario,Michael,&Gordon"! Those are the best "Suger Plums" I know of! Altho you can't eat those, They are really good "eye candy"! I'm sending hugs to "Crafty Clinton" "Charismatic Carla" Domestic Diva Daphne" Magnetic Mario" Marvelous Michael" & Gorgeous Groovy Gordon" Love Ya'll! %): >
Jessica says
My latest "kitchen conquering" was definitely making a healthy red velvet cake... I make it all natural (so no artificial food coloring) and low sugar, low fat and whole grain... and it still tastes good!!
Chris says
Ooo a healthy red velvet cake! Please share the recipe with me! Email me chris AT 75.99.4.108 DOT com 🙂
rachel says
I learned how to make roast chicken this year! Delish 🙂
Chris says
I love me a good roast chicken! Yay!
rayray cartucci says
One of the challenges I have had and still working on is cooking without dairy products because my son is very allergic. That has been hard!
Debbie B says
i don't believe i've ever had sugar plums - they look delicious.
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/416414845589024768
Rebecca Graham says
I am going to say Yum With Plums by making this recipe.
Katie says
My recent personal challenge was being diagnosed with Celiac disease a month before the holidays and learning how to make all my favorite recipes gluten free! My mom and I conquered some Ambrosia cookies (a Southern fav) and I made a chocolate whiskey tart for Christmas dessert.... complete with gluten free shortbread crust and whiskey whipped cream! My photos aren't NEARLY as good as these though. Next challenge = food photography.
Franchesca says
When I was just a freshman in high school I knew nothing about cooking but decided to make French beignets. Great idea I know. So I mixed all the dough, that wasn't so bad. But then came the oil. I thought I had to fill the until pot with oil so I poured every type of oil into it that I could find. 15 minutes later I had a black, smoking, scalding pot of burning oil and greaser splatters all over the stove, not to mention 3 unsuccessful burnt beignets. I abandoned ship and turned off the stove. Turns out that's all I needed to do. I put a dough ball in the cooler oil and it turned out a perfect golden tone and I wasn't burnt. Win win win!
Danielle Reed says
I'm so excited to actually see that Sugar Plums are real! This would be great to make and then read the book with it. I can't wait to make these and incorporate them into our holiday traditions! Thank you for the recipe!
Twyla says
I made perfect Chocolate Mousse for Christmas dinner!! It was awesome!!
Christina says
I didn't realize sugar plums were a real recipe and now I want to try this!
Christina says
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/tinad819/status/416630951373185024
Jenny Marie says
I thought sugar plums were just a variety of plums!! I recently overcame my cooking challenge of homemade fudge. No marshmallow cream or the like. Just a candy thermometer and a lot of hand mixing. And it came out just like my Great Aunt Susie's. I was very proud 🙂
Cynthia C says
I've never tried sugarplums, but I have made fruitcakes (which are better than the jokes about them) and my rum ball recipe is a little like this.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/416902543470370817
Sara Cardiff says
Wow, never knew they were real either. Definitely on my next baking to do list. They look super yummy!
Maureen G says
You don't see too many cookie-type recipes containing prunes (plums) I think that would help make the plums hold together. This recipe is a good one!
Priscilla h says
I cooked a whole thanksgiving meal for my family this year for the first time. Turkey ,dressing ,gravy etc.. Loved it!
Jessica says
Yay history pearl of the day. I've never tried sugar plums before either, but that just means I've got to make them soon! 🙂
Tess says
Will have to try some of this.....it looks yummy and definitely delicious too. I will get my food processor work.
Debbie R says
https://twitter.com/TNrina/status/416982659139506176
Aline Walker says
I fixed Thanksgiving dinner for our family and friends. Good times.
Katie says
I've never made sugar plums before, and using a food processor makes it do much easier! I've also used a food processor to crush vanilla wafers to a make a crust for a banana cream pie
Debbie R says
I never knew what sugarplums were. Now I do and I want to tell everyone they exist! So I tweeted from you page to tell my friends!
https://twitter.com/TNrina/status/416984691783122944
Cathy McKimmey says
I say yes but I chop everything by hand. My food processer is straight out of the 70s I remember when my dad won it. So until I can afford a nice fancy new one that's how it will be
Tunmun says
Happy Holidays! Can't wait to try this Sugar Plums recipe. I finally conquered my fear of baking macarons.
Virnen says
I never tried sugar plum yet and made me curious how it turn out when I fix it, looks yummy and I know it's healthy. Im sure my family would love this, love to try something new. Hope to win and enjoy more yummy goodness in the year 2014. Thank you!
Sandy says
I've always wanted to know how to make sugar plums! Thanks for this — they sound wonderful, but I also love good fruitcake. 😉
Joleen Crosta says
I conquered making homemade mayo in my kitchen!! Took a lot of mistakes & broken eggs but I finally managed to make a delicious mayo for my family!
Connie H says
Looks delicious. Can't wait to try them.
Connie H says
https://twitter.com/ConnieSKH/status/416985811683672064
Cindy says
They look so easy ... definitely worth a try!
Susan Sarlo says
I love sugar plums! I like to add dates, as well, and prefer cardamom over coriander(not a big coriander fan in any food).
Carol Maddox says
I thought it was candy but didn't know how it was made. I will make it Yummmmm!
julie says
I would love to try these. However, I do not have a food processor that will chop the nuts that much. However, with the 200.00 VISA I could definitely buy one to sit next to my KitchenAid Mixer that I LOVE LOVE LOVE! Great recipe!
Mary W says
I recently conquered a cooking challenge by making a triple layer totally decadent chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting. It was a ton of work and quite a project for someone as impatient and clumsy as me.
The cake turned out fabulous and made quite the presentation when sliced. The taste was divine. Good thing I left the cake with my party hostess - otherwise I would have devoured the entire dessert!
Sunrise Boyd says
SAY YUM YUM WITH SUGAR PLUMS. Never tried them, but they look yummy.
Mary W says
I posted on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cowladydeland/status/416993532209926144
Edith says
Making homemade Oreo Truffles. Not an easy task, but they came out amazing!!
Edith says
The link to my tweet is posted in the commentluv section. Post as @EdieMor at 1:06 PM on 28 Dec 13. Thanks for the chance!!
https://twitter.com/EdieMor/status/416993497753743360
marnee says
I love to try new recipes so looking forwars to putting my new kitchenaid mixer to use on this recipe. Cant wait to see how it turns out it sounds yumm 🙂
Ellon St. Croix says
Haven't we all googled "what is a sugar plum?" at some point? These look super yummy!
I cooked Christmas dinner for 30 people on 2 burners and an oven the size on an easy bake oven. 🙂
Sarah Beer says
My, they do look delicious!
My biggest challenge was all about making bread. I won a Kitchen Aid Mixer and I thought all my problems would be over. How wrong was I? It took me MONTHS to get it right, but the feeling of accomplishment once I got there was amazing! I'll never look back 🙂
Rosa says
My kids and I made these over Chrissie
We just added 'sugar plums' to our traditional/will be traditional Christmas delights!
Dana Morgan says
Sugar plums are definitely Dancing in my head! This is a great gift to share for the holidays but an even better treat for New Year's Eve ... A great sweet and tangy combo with a glass of champaign.
Anne says
Although your sugar plums look lovely and I would gladly eat them, I don't think I'll be making them, at least not this year. For my own personal kitchen conquest, though, I learned to make jam and can it, all by myself! (With help from the internet and my Joy of Cooking, of course.)
Anne says
I tweeted about your lovely sugar plums and this giveaway:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/417002842344284161
Yuki says
I've always loved sugar plums but never thought of making them myself. They seem simple enough that I can even do it. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway!
Cathy white says
I had these when I was young, and that was a long time ago, lol. Would use the gift card to buy that food processor it would go great with my Christmas gift my kitchen aide mixer which I am in love with. I have red.
Jen W. says
Making meringues for the first time was a challenge, because I expected them to be hard to make. They were surprisingly easy!
Jen W. says
https://twitter.com/Jen1701D/status/417008645482639360
Tay says
Blog post entry -> http://www.lecafeaufait.com/2013/12/say-yum-to-sugar-plums-plus-200-visa.html
R.A.Bolen says
The possibilities could be endless in the ingredients that you could use.
Vickie says
I say yum because I pinned the recipe..looks delicious and a bit healthier than normal holiday fare..
I recent challenge I finally succeeded in.. is to make a scratch pie crust that was light, flaky and butter..perfect!
Sheila Vives says
I have only heard of sugar plums but have never tried them. The recipe above looks fabulous. I was faced with a huge cooking challenge after injuries left me disabled and more physically challenged. I have learned not to lift heavy pots and pans full of food but to use other tools and containers to transfer ingredients and finished recipes in smaller batches. Takes a little extra time, but by breaking down the load I am able to still function to cook for myself to a reasonable degree.
tammy says
a food processor is one thing I don't have it would come in handy when I make cakes.
marvin says
Purchased a kitchenaid for black friday and it was so much easier then a mixing by hand 🙂
gayle gildehaus says
these look alot like my date nut balls.they have dates and coconut and dare I say crispy rice cereal..:} they are really good but i dare say yours are healthier!
inez says
I was unaware of all the mixed dried fruit in sugarplums. Can't wait to try your reccipe!
Kat says
I had never seen a picture of a sugar plum until I happened upon your blog. --They are beautiful! Thanks for sharing this interesting holiday recipe!
Kat says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/KouponKat/status/417065258373898240
Kat says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/KouponKat/status/417065258373898240
Ashley Nicole says
Very cool, I never knew what a sugar plum was! They look amazing!
Malissa W says
What gorgeous photos! I also had never heard of sugar plums until seeing this post but definitely going to add it to the list of things to try! We don't bake much but recently made our own vanilla extract and am inspired this year to try new recipes!
Malissa W says
Tweet! https://twitter.com/malissalwood/status/417107011415719936
Kerry says
I recently got my fudge to the right consistency! Not too soft and not too hard and crumbly!
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/417120202501799936
sowon says
thanks for this opportunity!! ^__^
https://twitter.com/hopepak/statuses/417119572727062528
Em Robin says
What an interesting story about sugar plums. We use it as a term of endearment in our family. I had no idea it was actually a food item. Can't wait to try making them!
Judy Jones says
well I certainly am in need of a new food processor and the Kitchenaid one looks like a great choice. I love the large capacity and strong motor. I'll be whipping up a batch of delicious sugar plums in no time!! 🙂
Stefanie Gladden says
I recently started learning how to bake cakes & decorate them! I've always wanted to but I just didn't think I'd be good at it, but I finally went to a cake decorating class, loved it and started baking & decoating at home, It's been amazing!
Stefanie Gladden says
tweeted - https://twitter.com/steffers516/status/417133264311033856
Laurel Nguyen says
Those look so yummy and so EASY! I'll definitely be trying this recipe! Thank you. 🙂
Susan P. says
My biggest food challenge recently is making multiple holiday desserts with my daughter who is home during the college break. Cookies, cupcakes, and bar cookies to name a few. It's fun bonding during our whirlwind baking adventure.
Susan P. says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/orchidlady01/status/417169015316819969
Mendy Dinsmore says
I finally made gravy and it tasted good. I've never been able to get it right.
Shannon says
We made ice cream a lot growing up, but now we're partial to the frozen banana "ice cream"! Cacao and peanut butter's a favorite.
Annie says
English Muffins - check!
Paul Gailard says
Not fond of prunes so used dried pears and was wonderful.
Trina says
I had no idea that they really existed. They sound like they would be prefect in the granola bars I back. Will definitely add them to the mix for variety.
Katie says
I would love to try these! I am gluten free and these would be a great switch up. Now to get one of those fancy food processors 🙂 In terms of a kitchen challenge I finally figured out how to make gluten free meatballs that taste delicious.
D Schmidt says
My recent challenge was to make Yorkshire puddings, I have tried many times and failed miserably because they tend to go flat. I learned that my main issue was not using boiling oil so I did so and rectified my issue.
D Schmidt says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/417418953204314113
Danielle says
My favorite thing to bake is homemade pie and pie w/ a sugar plum and peach filling is absolutely delicious especially with a cinnamon and walnut crumble on top.
Patricia Caradonna says
My mother has lived with me for approximately 28 years. She has always cooked the meals and I set the table and clean up the mess. This year she got real sick and has been in a rehab facility so I had to cook Christmas dinner for my family (12 people). I cut my finger in the morning cutting the potatoes, but I put a bandaid on and continued cooking. The meals was great.
Patricia Caradonna says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/pcaradonna/status/417446395855925248
Becky Richied says
oh my goodness this is perfect, I am 45 years old and really have gotten the baking bug, not sure why it took so long to reach me...lol...I seem to wake up and start baking in the kitchen all of the time trying out new recipes or editing them 🙂 lol can't get enough and gonna have to try these also. 🙂
Becky Richied says
tweeted 🙂
https://twitter.com/cancer_free_me/status/417503234039627776
Cori Westphal says
I am no chef. I like to think I am. I'm great at following a recipe, but terrible on my own. I like to rely on the internet, with recipes and reviews on things so I know what to expect. Recently I tried potstickers, because I love them and they are impossible to find already prepared. With the help of my hubs, we turned out about 20 of them only slightly lower quality than my fave restaurant! I call it a success!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cori Westphal says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/status/417708966039150592
coriwestphal at msn dot com
angie lilly says
wow! I didn't know these were real! They sound amazing! I would totally make them for a party and then everyone would say yum!! LOL
angie lilly says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/417724209226588161
angie lilly says
whoops! missed a #! here is the new link: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/417727815354961920
Dalia says
I am not a chef but I love to cook. this look amazing. want my dream kitchen.
maria cantu says
I would like to try this recipe.
Sharon says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I've avoided making Sugar Plums because I had the idea that it would be difficult. Not so. I may go ahead and try out the recipe for New Years Day.
Lisa Costello says
These looks so tasty and easy! I just received a mixer and processor for Christmas and need things to try out! Thank you!
Hector Octavio says
I finally managed to make risotto at home. I feel accomplished. Thank you for the giveaway!
Harmony B says
We three kids Ive been cooking alot more than ever before, Ive been braving my cooking challenges by trying new things. Sometimes unsuccessful but I try.
Harmony B says
tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/417845759468650496
Vanessa S. says
I solved my baking challenge by investing in a bigger Kitchenaid Stand Mixer so that I could bake in bigger batches!
Helen G says
Oven went out right in the middle of making dinner. Finished it up using a plug in roaster and toaster over. Turns out the plug in roaster is better than the oven so I'll be using it more often now.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I recently cooked my first steak so I was really proud.
Amanda Sakovitz says
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/418063083823583233
Emily says
I recently conquered the cooking challenge of homemade bread (without a bread machine)..which didn’t end up being much of a challenge at all!
Thomas Murphy says
I just made home made cheesecake for the first time.
Thomas Murphy says
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/418109784014204928
Charmie Jacobs says
Hey Chris! What a fun giveaway! I'm also on the bandwagon with those unfamiliar with the magical sugar plum. As far as food challenges go, I am forever trying to time all my dishes to be hot & ready at just the right intervals. Today, I did it! But alas, Hubby decided to take a midday shower just as the potatoes were boiling! When I called him to the table, he insisted on just 5 more minutes. Blasted holidays - throws our schedules way off! (just kidding - love the holidays & my hubby) 🙂
Chris says
Getting the timing down is always the hardest part I think! Of course he wanted to take a shower exactly when you were planning on eating! Best laid plans... Haha 🙂
Tabathia B says
I am constantly conquering the challenge of eating less meals out/frozen dinners and making more meals at home for my kids that are mainly poultry, fish and beans
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/418151890674012160
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Sarah L says
I never knew any of that. Very informative. I'm not much of a cook so no stories.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/418174345991950336
Whitney says
I tried to do lobster and quinoa.
Whitney says
https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/418204198627737600
Stephanie says
i recently tried making pretzels!
Stephanie says
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/418234323943186432
Kathleen says
I have finally tried making a mille-crepe cake! It was so much fun to do.
Chris says
Wow that sounds fantastic Kathleen!
Kirsten L. says
I recently discovered that a hinged handle ice cream scoop (that dislodges the ice cream) makes a great scoop for cookies that come out beautiful and uniformed. Kind of wonder if they would help shape the sugar plums you have here for even plums?
Chris says
Ooo, yes, great idea! You probably could try using an ice cream scoop! And thanks for reminding me... I want to get a hinged ice cream scoop 🙂
Rose says
Wow! didn't know they were real may need to make them now. They good and easy to make.
HABIB says
Thanks for sharing this helpful post with us, I found this post very informative. Hope this will help a lot for newbies. Hope you will continue writing well and share with us. I always follow your post and learned lots of things.
Seriuos Eats says
This is very delicious desert. I have followed your recipe and my family members liked it. However, I like to have this during my leisure time. If you want to find out more, please visit: https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-cleaver-kitchen-knife