Sugar Plums

I have been meaning to try these for some time, and I am sharing this now in response to a request. Adapted from an old holiday issue of "Family Circle" magazine. Prep time includes two chilling times - plan ahead.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 12 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup sweet unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1  large egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup seedless raisin, chopped finely
• 1⁄4 cup  pitted dried dates, chopped finely
• 1⁄4 cup pecans, chopped finely
• 1  tablespoon plum jam
•  decorator sugar (red, green or white)
• 3  tablespoons sweet unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1. Mix flour, salt,and baking powder; set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar together.
3. Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and beat well.
4. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Flatten dough into a flat round, cover tightly in plastic wrap, and let chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Mix together the dried fruits and nuts with the plum jam.
7. Take about 1 rounded teaspoonful of chilled dough and roll into a ball (you may want to dip your hands in a little flour first).
8. Press a dent into the dough ball and fill dent with a small amount of the fruit& nut mixture.
9. Pinch dough over the filling and reroll to cover the filling.
10. Set dough balls on greased baking sheets.
11. Chill at least 1 hour.
12. Preheat oven to 350 F and bake sugar plums 12 minutes.
13. Remove to racks to cool slightly.
14. While the sugar plums are still warm, brush them with some melted butter, then roll in colored sugars to coat thoroughly.
15. Let cool on wire rack.