Spiced Nuts

I usually have all the gifts and treats ready before Christmas...but this year I ended up way behind. I've yet to see most the people I have gifts for or sent gifts to. I've also just, last night, made the only homemade edible holiday treat I've made this year. Somehow we ended up doing a lot of weekend travel too close to the actual holiday and then I ran out of time. That is how this year has felt - I ran out of time!

So - in the spirit of holiday treats that are good at anytime - try these spiced nuts!

They happen to be vegan and I like the texture better with a switch from eggs + sugar to maple syrup as the sweetener and binder for the spices.

The original recipes I've used come from Crowded Kitchen and a Food Network post of Jill Biden's recipe.

I've taken the pieces of each that I love and ended up with a new fav!

Spiced Nuts

Ingredients

• 4 cups raw nuts - I used 2 cups Pecans / 2 cups Walnuts

• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup

• 1 Tablespoon Avocado oil (you could use any oil)

• 2 teaspoons Salt (I used vanilla salt that was gifted-yum!)

• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

• 1/2 Tablespoon Cinnamon

• 1 Tablespoon Cumin

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Line a sheet pan with parchment/foil/silicone liner

3. Mix together the syrup, oil, spices and salt in a medium to large bowl

4. Add nuts and coat evenly in the syrup mixture

5. Pour nuts onto the prepared sheet pan and spread as much in a single layer as possible

6. Bake 40 minutes

7. Remove from oven and stir with a spatula, returning them to a single layer

8. Bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes

9. Remove from oven and let cool

I hope you ring in 2023 with your favorite treats and your favorite people.

Cheers guys!