got it :-) Lucy

I wouldn't throw them out. I haven't candied plums but my guess is these fruit had some hard or fibrous spots inside. It's probably been penetrated by the syrup but doesn't develop the texture or appearance of normal fruit. Just my guess. I certainly wouldn't throw them out. Actually, with all that sugar I doubt there'd be spoilage but just in case, I do often keep my fruit in the freezer in the syrup and when ready to use drain. I use these fruits as ingredients in cakes or puddings and don't finish the drying and sugaring. They are wonderful too. Leftover syrup can be canned and used for beverages with sparkling water or to baste cake layers before frosting. Adds another element of flavor and assists in retention of moisture. Carol

OOPS!! That should be Peanut Brittle, LOL Needless to say it was late and I was a bit weary, so didn't proofread very well. I am one of those people who just love everything about the hustle and bustle of the holiday, so I am enjoying all of it, plus I am not someone who can just sit. I have to be doing something and I have played golf both of the past Saturdays and yesterday it was 69, so I was out on the golf course again. Dec. 5 and I was wearing short sleeves and a skort!!! Beautiful, but we really need some moisture, and it is suppposed to rain/snow this weekend. Merry Christmas, Candy

I can tell you what my aunt, who was locally famous for these (even appeared on TV with a marzipan making demo) used to do. She would make decorative tree centerpieces with them. Get a small Styrofoam cone from a craft store. Green is good if they have them: she would spray paint hers gold. Set in into a decorative base. You can use something you have around, like a small candy dish, or even a small new clay flowerpot. I think she adhered the cone to the base with floral adhesive. Maybe trimming the cone at the bottom to fit closely inside the base. Then just stick the small fruits in with toothpicks, arranging so the Styrofoam surfaced is completely covered. If there were gaps she would put in tiny craft store picks with silk leaves on them. It takes more fruit then you think to cover a cone, so dont buy a large one. The fruits that look best for this purpose are uniform sizes; like citrus fruits, apples, and pears. Not bananas or potatoes. Makes a very pretty centerpiece for Christmas. You can have your guests help themselves to the candy fruit after dinner, or keep it indefinitely. The fruit will dry out eventually and become very hard. You can also make a wreath or candle ring with a Styrofoam wreath form.