Sugar plums are small, oval European-style plums prized for their intensely sweet flavor and dense, juicy flesh. Typically harvested in late summer through early fall, they feature thin, deep purple or red skin with golden-yellow to amber flesh that clings to the pit. Their high natural sugar content makes them ideal for eating fresh out of hand, as well as for baking into tarts, cakes, and jams.

Unlike larger Japanese plum varieties, sugar plums have a more concentrated sweetness and a firmer texture that holds up well during cooking. They are excellent for roasting, poaching, or preserving, and their rich flavor makes them a classic ingredient in European desserts and holiday confections.