From “The Nutcracker” to “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” sugarplums have long been associated with the holiday season. But what exactly is a sugarplum? Most recipes claim it is a candy or confection made from dried fruit covered in a sweet, sugary coating.

These sweet treats are perfect for holiday gatherings, office parties, or traditional Christmas dinners. They are fairly simple to make and are quite portable in an airtight container. To try your hand at making sugarplums, follow this simple recipe:

1/3 cup of toasted slivered almonds
10 dried figs (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

In a food processor, pulse together figs, cocoa, cinnamon, and almonds. Add orange zest, honey, and almond extract and pulse several more times until it is thoroughly mixed. Use your hands to roll the dough into 1-inch sized balls, and then roll the balls in a bowl of the sugar to coat them. Yields two-dozen sugarplums.