Fruit and Nut Truffles (Sugarplums)

Submitted by cookingpompom

"This recipe is from "Making great candy" cookbook. This is not a confectionary item, more like a fruit mince truffle. They are delicious and remind you of Christmas, a simple homemade gift idea. If no food processor is available to you, use a large bowl and metal spoon, be sure to chop all you ingredients very small. I like to use kitchen sheers rather than a knife for dried fruit, which can be sticky and stick to the knife."

 

• Ready In: 4mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 25-35 truffles
• Serves: 10

ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 cups finely chopped toasted almonds
• 1 cup finely chopped dried apricot
• 1 cup finely chopped dried dates
• 1⁄4 cup caster sugar, for rolling (superfine sugar)

directions

1. .Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until a ball forms (it should take about 2 minutes).
2. With wet hands, roll into balls (about the size of a large cherry) then roll into the extra sugar.
3. Store in an airtight container for upto 2 weeks.
4. Makes 25 - 35 truffles.

Reviews

[ladybug810]

Delish! I only wish I'd read the reviews before making them, so I'd know to use WET hands to roll the balls...my hands were a sticky mess! I'm experimenting with goodies for Christmas gifts and these have certainly made the list. One batch made 25 sugarplums and I rolled mine in unsweetened, shredded coconut. Thanks for the recipe!

 

[flower7]

These are great! I used the food processor (I don't have the patience or arm strength of Sydney Mike to do it by hand!) I made a half batch and got 18 truffles. My sugar was regular white sugar (not superfine). It definitely makes a difference to roll these with wet hands - wet hands, it doesn't stick at all; dry hands, it sticks like crazy! :) Thanks for the recipe!

 

[Sydney Mike]

I don't mind the chopping so opted out of using the food processor for this recipe & did the mixing by hand ~ A bit longer, but, for me, an enjoyable process! And then, of course, the eating of these VERY TASTY BITES! Absolutely wonderful, & they'll be showing up agian several times during the winter holidays, too! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Particularly liked the combo of orange, almond & date! [Tagged made & reviewed for one of my orphan adoptions in the current Pick A Chef]