By Katie Goodman
Nuts are a healthy alternative to many snack foods. These Cinnamon Maple Pecans and Sugar and Spice Almonds make perfect snacking treats at holiday parties. Alternatively, you can package them up in a cellophane bag, tie a bow to close the bag, and give them as inexpensive gifts. With such a simple recipe, you won’t feel too busy to make these delicious treats.
Note: I recommend buying nuts in bulk at Costco if you are giving these as gifts. They have the best price and they keep their tree nuts separate from peanuts in processing if you have family or friends who are allergic to peanuts like I do.
Cinnamon Maple Pecans
Ingredients
2 cups pecan halves
1/4 cup real maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 dashes salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spread pecans out on a baking sheet. Place the pecans in the oven and toast for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant.
Remove pecans from oven and set aside to cool. In a small saucepan combine the maple syrup, vanilla, butter, cinnamon and salt. Stir until combined and butter is melted.
Add pecans to a medium sized bowl. Drizzle with maple syrup mixture and toss to combine. Spray a baking sheet with spray oil, such as PAM. Spread pecans on greased baking sheet. Return to oven and roast at 300 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
Spread parchment paper on a cookie cooling rack or counter. Place nuts on top of the parchment, spreading so they don’t stick to each other while they cool. When cool, package as you’d like or simple place in a bowl on the counter for snacking.
Sugar & Spice Almonds
Ingredients
2 cups whole almonds
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 dashes cayenne*
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spread almonds out on a baking sheet. Place the almonds in the oven and toast for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant.
Remove almonds from oven and set aside to cool. In a small saucepan combine the butter, water, sugar, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt. Stir until combined, butter is melted, and sugar has dissolved.
Add almonds to a medium sized bowl. Drizzle with sugar and spice mixture and toss to combine. Spray a baking sheet with spray oil, such as PAM. Spread almonds on greased baking sheet. Return to oven and roast at 300 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
Spread parchment paper on a cookie cooling rack or counter. Place nuts on top of the parchment, spreading so they don’t stick to each other while they cool. When cool, package as you’d like or simple place in a bowl on the counter for snacking.
*This recipe is for mild spice. For medium, increase cayenne to 1/8 teaspoon. For hot, 1/4 teaspoon.
Download Recipe PDF
About the Author:
Katie Goodman resides in New Mexico with her husband and two children (a 4-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl). Learning in the kitchen, eating, trying new recipes, and sharing them with friends and loved ones are some of Katie’s favorite things to do. She wholeheartedly believes that part of the goodness in life is enjoying good food with good friends and family, and goodLife {eats} is a place for her to share what she finds good in the kitchen.
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