Walking through the mall during the Christmas season or around a fair in the summer, one can't help but notice the delicious smell of the roasted nuts that are being sold. These nuts are not always available at other times of the year. That's why these recipes are designed to help people enjoy the taste of delicious homemade flavored nuts.
Flavored nuts make unique presents for those people we don't know what to buy for them. Buying cinnamon roasted nuts, glazed nuts or chocolate covered nuts can be expensive. These recipes demonstrate how to make your own versions of these flavored favorites.
These three types of nuts can then be packaged in festive containers and given as gifts. They are a good part of holiday baskets or great treats at all holiday parties. The recipes are simple enough that even children could help make them to give as gifts. You can make one of the recipes or prepare all three to share with others.
Cinnamon Roasted Nuts
Many people love walking through the mall or a fair and smelling the cinnamon roasted nuts for sale. This recipe makes nuts that are as good as those you can purchase.
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon cold water
- 4 cups nuts, such as almonds, cashews and pecans
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg white. Add water and beat egg white until frothy but not stiff.
- Add the nuts to the beaten egg white and toss until nuts are well coated.
- In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add nuts to bag and toss to coat nuts with sugar mixture.
- Spread nuts in one layer on baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Transfer nuts to a waxed-paper lined baking sheet and let cool.
- Store in airtight containers.
Glazed Nuts
These nuts are not only pretty to look at, but they are tasty as well.
Makes about 1 pound
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pound nuts, such as walnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat egg white just until foamy. Add sugar, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Add nuts to mixing bowl and stir, coating nuts evenly with sugar mixture.
- Spread nuts evenly in a single layer on baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nuts are toasted and golden brown
- Transfer nuts to a waxed-paper lined baking sheet and let cool.
- Store in airtight containers.
Chocolate Covered Nuts
Nuts and chocolate are the perfect combination for an addictive holiday treat.
Makes 1 pound
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate pieces, such as milk chocolate or white chocolate
- 1 package mixed or single variety nuts, such as walnuts, cashews, pecans and almonds
Directions:
- Line a baking sheet with cupcake wrappers and set aside.
- In the top portion of a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate over medium heat, stirring chocolate constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove melted chocolate from heat and quickly add nuts to melted chocolate mixture.
- Drop coated nuts by teaspoons into cupcake wrappers.
- Transfer to refrigerator and chill until mixture is set, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Store nuts in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Kelley Huston - A reader of all kinds of books, Kelley is an teacher who loves crafts and scrapbooking. She is a Disney fan who loves all things Disney.
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