Holiday Spiced Nuts

Holiday Spiced Nuts Two Ways

Do you know anyone who is entirely obsessed with Christmas and the holiday season?  I mean someone who is a fully consumed, unhealthily preoccupied Christmas maniac? The answer is yes, you do, and that person is me.  I shamelessly blast my Christmas playlist on repeat every year starting the day after Thanksgiving and my Christmas countdown usually begins on December 26th. However, I do have a bit of an excuse in taking so much joy in the Christmas season and that is because my birthday is on December 25th as well :) But considering that it's only December 4th, I figured I would spare you my full-blown Christmas excitement just yet...but fear not, I certainly plan on bombarding you with edible Christmas treats over the next few weeks!  

These Holiday Spiced Nuts Two ways are festive enough to whet your appetite for all foods Christmasy but not too festive to make you feel like you're jumping the gun.  How perfect!  I made one sweet batch of holiday nuts and one smokey and spicier batch, so whatever your preference, I have a holiday snack for you!  Keep in mind when reading these recipes that you can substitute any nuts you like!  I like mixing different sizes and textures of nuts.  Walnuts and pecans tend to work especially well because their little nooks and crannies hold the seasoning well.

Sugared Walnuts and Spanish Almonds

Ingredients:

8 oz walnut halves

8 oz spanish almonds

1 egg white

1 tbsp water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

Smokey Spicy Mixed Nuts

Ingredients:

6 oz walnut halves

5 oz peanuts

5 oz cashews

1 egg white

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp hot sauce

2 tbsp salt

2 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp sweet paprika

1 tsp curry

1 tsp black pepper

The directions for preparing either batch of nuts is almost entirely the same.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees fahrenheit. Place the seasoning spices all in one large bowl and mix together with a spoon.  Place the egg white and tablespoon of water in a separate bowl and whisk until frothy.  If making the smokey spicy nuts add the hot sauce in with the egg white and water.  Once frothy, add the nuts into the bowl and gently stir until all nuts are coated with the mixture.  Next, transfer nuts into the bowl with the spices and stir until all nuts are evenly coated with the spices and no dry mixture remains at the bottom of the bowl.  Pour the nuts into a casserole dish or rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven.  Bake for one hour, stirring every fifteen minutes.  Remove from the oven, allow to cool and enjoy!