Beyond Sugar and Spice: The Unforgettable Tale of Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Welcome to a story that’s not just about sweetness and light. Today, we’re exploring an enthralling obsession with peppered cinnamon-spiced pecans – a snack that’s revolutionizing the way we think about deliciousness!
Imagine walking into Costco, eyeing those pricey bags of spiced nuts, and thinking, “I can do better.” That’s precisely what this recipe is about: a wallet-friendly, kindergarten-easy approach to gourmet spiced nuts.
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Spicing Up the Holidays with Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Are you ready to add some zest to your festive gatherings? My peppered cinnamon-spiced pecans are not just a snack – they’re a Christmas sensation! Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving a unique nibble, these pecans are your ticket to flavor town.
What makes these pecans a crowd-pleaser? It’s their universal appeal. Imagine a handful of these gems delivering a symphony of tastes – they’re not just a treat; they’re an experience.
This recipe is anything but ordinary. It’s a simple nut recipe that’s open to your creative tweaks, making it a personal favorite. Once you get a taste, you’ll understand why it’s a showstopper. Combining my love of pecans and our family recipe, I’ve made this as new rendition as simple as can be!
The real magic lies in the contrasting flavors – the crunchiness of the nuts, the sweetness of cinnamon, and the bold kick of pepper. It’s a dance of naughty and nice with every bite.
Ready to turn heads and tantalize taste buds? Give these hot and sweet peppered pecans a try. They’re not just a snack – they’re a conversation starter!
Cinnamon-spiced and hot and Sweet Peppered Pecans
And so, for those who love cinnamon and spice and everything nice, this is your recipe. Keep in mind, that my recipes are all about simplicity.
Whether you are hosting a party, creating homemade gifts to share this season, or just want something delicious to munch on, try these.
Our recipe for Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans uses everyday spices like cayenne, cloves, cardamom, sea salt, and pepper, which are probably already sitting in your pantry, right? And finding ingredients like pecans and unsalted butter is a breeze at any grocery store. No unsalted butter on hand? No problem – just swap in salted butter.
Staying true to my style, today’s recipe is a delightful mix of simple, sweet, spicy, and savory elements.
Kitchen Prep: Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
- Oven
- Top Oven Rack
- Large, Rimmed Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat
- Small Bowl for Mixing Spices
- Skillet for Melting Butter
- Large Bowl for Coating Pecans
- Spoon or Spatula for Stirring and Spreading Pecans
Ingredients For Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
- Fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cardamom
- Allspice
- Ground cloves
- Ground cayenne
- Fine sea salt
- Black pepper
- Unsalted butter (salted works too)
- Honey (preferably local)
- Maple syrup
- Whole pecans
- Raw cane or other large-grain sugar for dusting
How to Make Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
- Start by positioning the top oven rack in the center.
- Preheat your oven.
- Prepare a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, combine rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, cloves, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, but don’t fully melt it.
- Once mostly melted, add honey and maple syrup to the skillet. Stir and heat for a short duration, then remove from heat.
- Place pecans in a large bowl. Pour the melted butter mixture over them, followed by the spice mixture. Stir until the pecans are thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the coated pecans to your prepared baking sheet, spreading them in a single, evenly-spaced layer.
- Bake the pecans, stirring and redistributing them halfway through the baking time.
- After baking, allow the pecans to cool briefly.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top, stir, then repeat with the remaining sugar. Allow to cool completely.
Smart Ideas: Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Doubling the recipe is always a good idea, especially if you’re hosting a gathering. Keep half for the party and store the other in an airtight container for later delight or as a heartwarming gift.
Feeling creative? Adjust the recipe to suit the season. A dash of lime zest and chili pepper can add a summery twist, making these pecans a year-round favorite. See below for more tips.
Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans: Make Them Your Own
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Add sliced raw almonds or dried cranberries for different textures and flavors. If you’re a peanut lover, throw some into the mix. This recipe is your canvas – paint it with your culinary creativity!
Bonus Elements of Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Here’s a bonus, there is NO EGG in this recipe! Sweet and savory, spicy, and perfect in every way!Additionally, when it comes to time, your investment in making these is just about 10 minutes! Now, who’s ready to crunch and savor these flavors by the handful?
The beauty of this recipe lies in its basic ingredients, which are likely staples in your kitchen. And the best part? You only need about 10 minutes of active prep time, making it wonderfully easy.
Need another great Appetizer? Try This Festive Feta Olive and Herb Cheese Ball
Helpful Tips For Making Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Here’s an insider tip: I wouldn’t even think about starting this recipe without a silicone mat or, at a minimum, parchment paper. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Why, you ask? Well, the syrup in this recipe can create a sticky mess that’s a nightmare to clean off a bare tray. I’m firmly recommending a silicone mat for this adventure in your kitchen. It’s a game-changer.
In the photo above, you’ll notice I’ve also successfully used parchment paper. But here’s my take on it: parchment paper can sometimes let moisture through or leave your tray in a bit of a state. It’s not always the perfect solution.
Smart Tips for Your Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Want to be the life of the party? Double up this recipe! It’s a surefire way to keep the good times rolling with plenty of tasty treats on hand.
Here’s a savvy move: Stash half of your pecan bounty in an airtight container right away. You can savor it later or spread the joy by gifting it to someone special.
And for a twist, why not play with the ingredients to match the season’s vibe?
Oh, and here’s a little secret from me to you: adding a dash of lime zest and chili pepper takes these pecans to a whole new level of amazing!
Try this easy Holiday Craft to put on the counter next to the nuts, it’s a fish bowl snowman.
Alternate Add-Ins For Your Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Shake things up a bit – don’t just follow a recipe word for word. Be bold and make it your own.
Why not throw in a handful of sliced raw almonds for an extra crunch? Or maybe sprinkle in some dried cranberries for a tart twist?
Feeling nutty? Toss in some peanuts if that’s your jam.
Transform this recipe into something uniquely yours. Think of this recipe as a canvas, ready for your creative touch.
Hot and Sweet Peppered Pecans: Quick and Delicious
Whip them up in 10 minutes, let them bake for 30. Yes, making these hot and sweet peppered pecans is that straightforward – isn’t that awesome?
Prepare to indulge in a snack that’s the perfect blend of fiery and sweet, packed with protein. Then, just sit back and soak up the compliments on these incredible pecans – it’s the best part!
Grab The Recipe For Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Peppered Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 T. fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
- 2 t. ground cinnamon
- 1 t. ground cardamom
- ¾ t. allspice
- ½ t. ground cloves
- ¼ t. ground cayenne
- ½ t. fine sea salt
- ¼ t. black pepper
- ¼ c. unsalted butter
- 1/3 c. honey preferably local
- 2 T. maple syrup
- 4 c. whole pecans
- ¼ c. raw cane or other large grain sugar for dusting
Instructions
- First, using the top oven rack, place it in the center position.
- Then, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Follow that up by lining a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or as I recommended a silicone baking mat.
- Then set that aside.
- Combine rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, cloves, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Stir to combine and set aside.
- Add butter to a small skillet set over medium heat.
- Don’t let the butter completely melt.
- When the butter is mostly melted, add the honey and maple syrup and stir to combine.
- Heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Now it’s time to place pecans in a large bowl.
- Then, follow that with the melted butter mixture being poured atop.
- Add the spice mixture and stir until the pecans are completely coated in both.
- It’s now time to transfer the coated pecans to the prepared baking sheet.
- Once they are on the sheet, you will spread them into a thin, single layer without overcrowding.
- Remember in order to bake they ALL Need space and crowing is not going to help this.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
- Set the timer to 30 minutes.
- The nut mixture will bake for the full 30 minutes but at about the 15-minute marker, go ahead and open the oven.
- Mix those nuts up well and again, make sure to leave them evenly spaced.
- Continue baking for another 15 minutes to end at 30 minutes.
- A Note** As you are stirring you are letting the oven temperatures flux, and therefore you may need to add additional 5 minutes onto the bake time in order that the oven recaptures its baking temperature.
- Once the baking cycle is complete it’s time to take the peppered cinnamon-spiced pecans out.
- Remove from oven and cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle half the coarse sugar on top and stir to combine.
- Repeat with the remaining sugar and cool completely.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.
- Do note if you serve immediately they will be HOT and you could get burned!
- Enjoy! XO DANA ~
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