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5.0 from 6 votes

Candied Spiced Nuts

These candied spiced nuts are sweet and spicy and the sorta thing friends demolish in minutes at cocktail parties and holiday gatherings yet talk about for months afterward.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 16 servings | 1 pound total
Calories: 199 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more if needed
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or smoked paprika
  • 1 pound raw or roasted nuts* (such as almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, or any combination)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 prig rosemary leaves only, left whole or finely chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat an oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
  2. Spread the nuts in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast until aromatic and lightly toasted, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven.
  3. In a small bowl, stir 1/2 teaspoon salt with the cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne or smoked paprika.
  4. In a large, heavy skillet, stir the sugar with the water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, without stirring (you can tilt the skillet a bit to distribute the sugar and to swirl it, but do not stir the contents or the syrup will crystallize). Continue to cook until the sugar turns a medium amber color, 6 to 12 minutes, depending on your stove's exact heat.
  5. Working carefully and quickly, stir in half the spice mixture and all the nuts and combine well. Tip the nuts back out onto the still-lined sheet pan and spread out as evenly as you can with a fork. Immediately sprinkle the nuts with 1/3 of the reserved spice mixture. Bake, stirring and flipping the nuts with a pair of forks every 5 minutes or so to keep the nuts coated in the caramel and breaking up any large clumps, 15 to 20 minutes. Each time you stir the nuts, add 1/3 of the remaining spice mixture. The last time you stir the nuts, add the rosemary and additional sea salt, if desired.
  6. Let the nuts to cool completely on the baking sheet, then break up any remaining large clusters. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1oz Calories 199kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 19g (6%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Monounsaturated Fat 8g Sodium 150mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 11g (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16servings | 1 pound total

Amount Per Serving

Calories 199

% Daily Value*

Serving 1oz
Calories 199kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 19g 6%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Sodium 150mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 11g 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.