*Sugar Plums*
 Makes 18 to 20

These keep for weeks in the refrigerator.  The perfect gift when presented in pretty litte paper cups and a lovely gift tin!

3 ounces (1/2 cup) chopped pitted dates
3 ounces (1/2 cup) chopped toasted walnuts
1 ounce (1/4 cup) dried cranberries
1 ounces (1/4 cup) chopped pitted prunes
1 ounce (1/4 cup) chopped toasted hazlenuts
2 TBS fruit jam
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
3.5 ounces (1/2 cup) granulated sugar

You can do this by hand, but a food processor does a quick and easy job of it. 

Begin by placing the chopped dates, walnuts, cranberries, prunes and hazelnuts in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse until everythig is chopped very small and they begin to clump together a bit.  Add the jam and spices and pluse until it all begins to come together.  (when you press some of the mixture between your fingers it should hold itself into a ball.  Don't over process, so keep checking.  You want to see individual pieces of the fruit and nuts, not a paste.

Place the granulated sugar in a bowl.  Take out tablespoons of the fruit mixture and shape into balls by rolling it in the palms of your hands, Drop the balls into the granulated sugar and give them a good coating.  Place into little paper cups.  Repeat until all of the mixture is used up.  Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.