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Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts for Christmas gifting

Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts for Christmas Gifting

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 8 (makes about 4 cups)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls One medium and one large bowl to combine everything easily.
  • Whisk or electric hand mixer Helpful for whipping the egg white until frothy.
  • Baking sheet A large rimmed baking sheet to roast the nuts evenly.
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Spatula For spreading and stirring the nuts halfway through baking.
  • Airtight containers or cellophane bags For storing or gifting. Mason jars also work beautifully for presentation.

Ingredients
  

Nuts (4 cups total)

  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 1 cup raw walnut halves
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup raw cashews

Spice and Sweetness Mix

  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey maple adds more depth
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust for heat tolerance
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Binding Agent

  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

  1. A lower oven temperature ensures the nuts roast slowly and evenly, letting the sugars caramelize without burning.

Prepare your baking sheet.

  1. Line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking. This step is key—candied sugar hardens fast and can be difficult to remove from unlined pans.

Whip the egg white.

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white with water and vanilla extract until it's frothy and light. This acts as the glue for your sugar and spice blend, helping it cling to every nut.

Toss the nuts in the egg white mixture.

  1. Add all your raw nuts to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly in the frothy egg white.

Mix your sugar and spices.

  1. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.

Combine everything.

  1. Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the wet nuts and toss until every piece is coated in that gorgeous, golden blend.

Spread and bake.

  1. Dump the coated nuts onto the lined baking sheet and spread them into an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, then stir to prevent clumping and rotate the pan for even browning. Bake for another 20 minutes.

Cool completely.

  1. Once they’re done, let the nuts cool completely on the pan. The coating will harden as they cool, forming that irresistible crunchy shell.

Package for gifting or snacking.

  1. Transfer cooled nuts into airtight containers, jars, or festive bags. Add a ribbon and a label, and you’ve got a homemade gift that’s as thoughtful as it is addictive.