These crunchy, buttery, sweet, spiced nuts have a hint of orange. They are completely irresistible and are sure to be a hit at any party!
Let’s see…it’s only taken me over a year to finally post this recipe! I wanted to wait and take how-to photos. The weeks turned into months and suddenly it was Thanksgiving again. I’m going to make another batch or two for Christmas. They disappear quickly. These nuts would be a great gift to give your neighbors or anyone who loves nuts. (I know there are some of you who don’t.) Our family is nuts about nuts. All kinds–even the ones to whom we’re related. (Don’t worry, they’d agree with us.)
Besides Candied Pecans for snacking and salads, the recipe below is a favorite. Every time I make them I’m transported to the streets of Manhattan where you can buy a bag of the hot, sweet nuts from vendors on every corner.
You can use a combination of spices. The recipe only calls for cinnamon and nutmeg. I have made these nuts with a bit of cardamom or clove added, or with pumpkin pie spice. Whatever you like.
The other KEY (and I mean, KEY) ingredient is orange zest. Well, okay. If you don’t like orange, or would rather leave it out, then go ahead. But don’t blame me if your nuts are a bit inferior. (They will be! The orange is really magical.)
Orange Spiced Nuts
These crunchy, buttery, sweet nuts have a hint of orange and spice. They are completely irresistible and are sure to be a hit at any party. Recipe from The Land O’ Lakes Country Cookbook
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole blanched almonds
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1 1/2 cups filberts (hazelnuts)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- Pinch salt
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 Tbsp. grated orange peel
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325 degrees. Spread nuts in jelly roll pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly toasted. (Omit this step if using toasted nuts.)
- In small bowl stir together sugar and spices.
- Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites at high speed, scraping bowl often, until soft peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes. Continue beating, gradually adding sugar mixture, until stiff peaks form, another 1 to 2 minutes. By hand, fold in orange zest and nuts.
- In same jelly roll pan, melt butter in oven—about 4 to 6 minutes. Spread nut mixture over butter. Bake, stirring every 5-10 minutes, for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until nuts are brown and no butter remains. Cool completely and transfer to an airtight container.
Notes
-As long as you have 5 cups of nuts, it doesn’t really matter if you have the ones specified in the recipe. You could even do all one kind of nut. The mix I buy from Costco includes Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, cashews (really good), almonds, and pecans.
-Add other spices, if desired, such as clove, allspice, cardamom, cayenne or chili powder.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Candy, snack
8 Comments
I’m planning a post-holidays open house and was thinking just today that I needed to find a good seasoned nut mixture recipe. It’s like I asked, and it was delivered. Thank you!
beautiful! these look even better than the ones here in new york city!
OH, Yum! I am so excited about trying these. And I do know that incredible NYC smell you’re talking about(I used to get the bag of almonds on the corner)-so can’t wait to smell it. Love the orange zest idea.
Thanks for sharing!
Jenny from Ky!
I have got to try these-they look amazing! Thanks for posting the helpful photos and recipe!
Those nuts look fabulous Lindsey!!!
I saw this recipe on Saturday (today is Monday) and it is my second time making it. Thanks for posting such a yummy treat! Happy Holidays!
I made these nuts last night! Love them!! I totally agree with you, Lindsey, on the orange zest!
thanks for a great treat!
jenny from KY!
i am back, 3 years later, still making this recipe!! thanks again for posting it. it’s become a family favorite :)