Description
These candied nuts combine pecans, cashews, and almonds coated in a sweet cinnamon and nutmeg sugar mixture, baked to perfection for a crunchy, flavorful snack or topping. Perfect for holiday treats or adding a sweet crunch to salads and desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts
- 2 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 2 1/2 cups dry roasted unsalted cashews
- 1 cup dry roasted unsalted almonds
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg, or ground nutmeg
- 2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even cooking.
- Coat Nuts with Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the pecans, cashews, and almonds. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites, water, and vanilla extract until frothy. Pour this mixture over the nuts and toss well to ensure all nuts are coated evenly.
- Prepare Sugar-Spice Mix: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt. Toss the egg-coated nuts in this sugar-spice mixture so they are evenly coated with the sweet and spiced blend.
- Bake Nuts: Spread the nuts evenly on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If necessary, divide the nuts between two pans for even cooking. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and toss the nuts to redistribute, then bake for an additional 15 minutes until they are golden and crisp.
- Cool and Store: Allow the candied nuts to cool completely on the baking sheet; this will help them crisp up further. Once cool, break apart any clusters and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for up to 10 days.
Notes
- Ensure the nuts are evenly coated with the egg white mixture to help the sugar stick well while baking.
- If using fresh nutmeg, grate it finely to enhance the flavor.
- For a different flavor profile, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or using maple syrup instead of vanilla extract.
- Store completely cooled nuts in an airtight container to maintain crunchiness.
- This recipe can be doubled, but bake nuts in separate batches for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candied nuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, sweet nuts, cinnamon nuts, holiday snack, baked nuts, crunchy nuts
