Fruit & Nut Balls Recipe & Video

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Fruit and Nut Balls, or you may know them as Sugarplums, are made with a variety of pureed dried fruits and nuts held together with a little honey (golden syrup or corn syrup) and a splash of alcohol (or fruit juice). I think what makes them so tempting is all the ways they can be decorated. You can roll them in different sugars (white, brown, or powdered), unsweetened cocoa powder, dried sweetened or unsweetened coconut, grated chocolate, and/or finely chopped nuts. But I must admit that my favorite way is to dip them in melted dark chocolate as I love the combination of dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate. They store very well, and while perfect for Christmas giving, they also make an excellent snack to take along on picnics or hikes when you need a quick boost of energy.   

Today we are fortunate to have a wide selection of dried fruits to choose from. Where once we were limited to dates and raisins, it now seems that every fruit imaginable is available dried. The quality of these fruits is also excellent which makes for delicious Fruit and Nut Balls. When you look at this recipe, don't think it is cast in stone. You need a total of 2 cups (280 grams) of dried fruits so feel free to vary both the type and amounts of the fruits you choose. While I have used dried dates, figs, cherries, and papapa, you can just as easily use other dried fruits like prunes, raisins, cranberries, mango, pineapple, and kiwi. But there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your dried fruit. First, try to buy in bulk from a grocery store or natural food store that has a high turnover. Not only will the fruit be fresher, but you can see, smell, feel, and often taste the fruit to make sure it is fresh and of high quality. Pre-packaged fruit can also be excellent but it is harder to tell the quality of the fruit through the plastic bag. Make sure to check the expiration date on the bag. Always look for dried fruit that is plump, moist, and has good color. Never buy fruit that is dried out or moldy. There is a debate about whether to buy 'sulphured' or 'unsulphured' dried fruits. Some like to buy 'sulphured' which means that it has been treated with a sulphur dioxide solution. This preserves the fruit's bright color and makes the fruit very soft and moist. The downside is that some people can taste the preservative and also feel flavor is sacrificed for making the fruit look good.