Warm Spiced Holiday Nuts
Addictively aromatic mixed nuts glazed with brown sugar, warming spices, and a hint of cayenne
- 2 cupsmixed nuts(cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts)
- 3 tbspunsalted butter(melted)
- 0.25 cupbrown sugar(packed)
- 1 tspcinnamon
- 0.5 tspground ginger
- 0.25 tspallspice
- 0.25 tspcayenne pepper
- 1 tspkosher salt
- 1 tbspfresh rosemary(finely chopped)
Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Rewarm in 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh.
- 1Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- 2Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cayenne, and salt
- 3Toss nuts with butter-spice mixture until evenly coated
- 4Spread nuts in single layer on prepared baking sheet
- 5Bake 20-25 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes, until fragrant and golden
- 6Remove from oven and immediately toss with fresh rosemary
- 7Let cool on pan - nuts will crisp as they cool
- 8Serve warm or at room temperature in bowls around the room
Raw nuts roast more evenly than pre-roasted. The nuts will seem soft when hot but crisp as they cool. Adding rosemary after baking preserves its brightness. These make excellent hostess gifts in decorative jars. For extra crunch, add 1 egg white to the coating.
Spiced nuts have been a holiday entertaining staple since colonial times, when sugar and spices were precious commodities reserved for special occasions. The combination of sweet, salty, and warming spices remains the perfect cocktail accompaniment, encouraging thirst while showcasing holiday flavors.