Spiced Nuts with Cranberries

Homemade gifts are always the best, and often ranked at the top are the edible ones. I mean, who doesn’t like receiving something pre-made and tasty that they can eat?

Nearly always a favorite are holiday cookies, but your friends and family are bound to receive plates full of those from numerous other people. So why not switch it up this year and give away some spiced nuts instead? Jar those babies up to create a special gift that’s memorable even long after digested. Your nut-loving fam. and friends will be thrilled, especially after the holidays exhaust their initial cookie cravings. Plus, by going with the nuts you’ll automatically sneak in an extra nourishing gift for your loved ones. Chock full of heart healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants, like the vitamin E that fills the almonds in this recipe, this edible gift is easily a winner.

Spiced Nuts with Cranberries

-2 cups almonds
-2 cups pecans
-1 cup dried cranberries
-4 Tbsp. butter or oil
-3 Tbsp. honey
-1 Tbsp. brown sugar
-2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1 tsp. smoked paprika
-1 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Preheat oven 300F.

In a nonstick skillet, melt butter (or heat oil) over medium-low heat. Add honey, sugar, salt, and spices. Stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and add almonds, pecans, and cranberries, stirring until nuts are coated.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Transfer nut and cranberry contents to baking sheet. Place in oven, and bake 5 minutes. Stir, and return to oven. Bake another 5-10 minutes, or until nuts are golden brown, stirring every 2-3 minutes.

Note: The sweetener can cause the nuts to easily burn. One single minute baked too long can ruin your spiced nuts and cranberries, so make sure to keep a close eye on the oven while baking.