Festive Christmas Nut Mix

There are many distinct flavors that people associate with the holiday season.  Peppermint, eggnog, pumpkin, cinnamon, and cloves are a few examples that come to mind.  People also fondly think of nut mixes and nutcrackers.  There’s a whole ballet named after a nutcracker, after all!

So naturally, we are jumping on the metaphorical band-wagon of Christmas flavors and foods to bring you something a little healthier to snack on this Holiday season!  Sure, the fat content of pecans is higher than other nuts, but it’s a healthy fat, and these healthy fats promote brain function!  Just stick to the serving size, that’s all.

These nuts are sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy!  The flavors are spot on as far as Christmas flavors go.  They would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a neighbor or friend…but you may just want to keep these little gems all to yourself!

Festive Christmas Nut Mix

Ingredients:

1 egg white

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

3 cups raw pecans

1 cup dried cranberries

3/4 teaspoon coarse ground salt (sea salt or kosher salt)

1.  Whisk the egg white, vanilla, and maple syrup in a medium sized bowl.

Vanilla and egg wash Vanilla and egg wash

2.  Add the spices and whisk until well combined.

Spices Spices

3.  Add the pecans and cranberries and mix well until the pecans and cranberries are well coated.

Pecans and cranberries Mix

4.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and pour the nut mixture onto the baking sheet.

5.  Evenly sprinkle the coarse salt over the nuts.  This is where you can get a little creative.  We used a finishing salt flavored with vanilla.  There are a ton of flavors out there, and you can find them at your local grocery store, specialty food store, or health food store bulk section.  They are gaining popularity, therefore becoming easier to find.

Add the salt

6.  Bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes, turning halfway through baking.

7.  Let cool before eating.

Festive Christmas Nut Mix
Author: Simply Playful Fare
Ingredients
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 3 cups raw pecans
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse ground salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
Instructions
  1. Whisk the egg white, vanilla, and maple syrup in a medium sized bowl.
  2. Add the spices and whisk until well combined.
  3. Add the pecans and cranberries and mix well until the pecans and cranberries are well coated.
  4. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and pour the nut mixture onto the baking sheet.
  5. Evenly sprinkle the coarse salt over the nuts. This is where you can get a little creative. We used a finishing salt flavored with vanilla. There are a ton of flavors out there, and you can find them at your local grocery store, specialty food store, or health food store bulk section. They are gaining popularity, therefore becoming easier to find.
  6. Bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes, turning halfway through baking.
  7. Let cool before eating.
Serving size: 36g (30 servings) Calories: 210 Fat: 20.7g Carbohydrates: 6g Protein: 3.2g

Festive Christmas Nut Mix Festive Christmas Nut Mix Festive Christmas Nut Mix Festive Christmas Nut Mix

What’s your favorite Christmas snack?  Let us know in the comments section!



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