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The holidays have always been one of my favorite times of year. I love the way that despite all the hustle and bustle, there is a renewed focus on family and time spent together. Of course, one of the other parts of the holidays that I look forward to is all the delicious food. The smells and tastes of Christmas will forever conjure meaningful memories filled with warmth, laughter and joy.
As an adult, one of my favorite holiday treats were my mother in-law’s sugared mixed nuts. Each year, I couldn’t wait until she showed up with a sampling from her first batch just for me or when she would surprise me with a bowl on her counter when I stopped by for a visit.
Oh, and I wasn’t the only one who loved her seasonal snack that somehow blended together an almost perfect combination of salty and sweet. Those sugared mixed nuts that were just the perfect blend of salty and sweet, became a gift that family, friends and neighbors couldn’t wait to receive each year. They became so popular, people used to tease her about trying to secure a spot on her gift list months in advance just to make sure that got their share that year. Others would try to lovingly cajole her into making them at other times of year, but she refused. Tradition was important to her and in her mind sugared mixed nuts belonged only to Christmastime.
Several years ago, my mother-in-law passed away after a truly heroic battle with ovarian cancer. She was a special woman and we were grateful that we had as many Christmas’s with her as we did. We’ve continued several of the holiday traditions that she started with us and our children, and of course that includes making her sugared mixed nuts.
I know that she would love to see this tradition find its way into other families, because she was someone who always loved to share her ideas and favorite things with everyone. It’s actually quite a simple recipe and only requires a few ingredients.
Sugared Mixed Nuts Recipe
What You’ll Need:
1 lb Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts
1 egg white
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (I confess I use a little more b/c I LOVE cinnamon)
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees. Beat the egg white in a large bowl until it is frothy.
Add the nuts and coat them all evenly. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add the sugar mixture to the nuts and again mix together until the nuts are covered equally.
Spread the nuts onto a cookie sheet (cover with parchment paper or grease lightly to prevent sticking). Bake for 1 hour, turning with a spatula every 15 minutes.
The standard recipe provided creates about 15 servings, but I typically double the recipe and will make several batches over the course of a week or two. This way I have plenty for my family and then we also have a large enough quantity to give as gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends and all the special people on our gift list.
Now, I have to let you in on a little secret, while the recipe really is delicious, part of the reason people loved getting these sugared mixed nuts each holiday was the creative ways my mother-in-law would package them. She was incredibly crafty and had such a talent for taking simple gifts and presenting them in ways that were beautiful and unique.
While I could never fully recreate all the original ways she packaged these tasty holiday goodies, I’ve got a couple different ideas for you.
Jars- It’s super easy to grab a mason jar, a piece of fabric and a ribbon and in mere minutes, you’ve got an adorable holiday gift! Be sure to check out holiday themed jars at the craft store or any home decor store, too!
Tins- Christmas tins are available everywhere, from the grocery store to the dollar store this time of year and any of these festive containers are the simplest and quickest way to give your food gifts throughout December!
Unique Boxes- I shopped the party supply aisle for this fun zebra print takeout container and added various textures of ribbon, simply tied along the handle. Don’t forget to check the non-holiday areas of your favorite store for more unique packaging.
Pillow Boxes- These little white boxes come in a pack of 8 and you can quickly assemble them, adding bright ribbons or even washi tape. I love these smaller packages as surprises to welcome your co-workers one morning or even as part of your Christmas dining table; they’d make perfect place cards or favors after a dinner party, too.
Sugared Mixed Nuts A Simple Homemade Holiday Gift
Ingredients
- 1 can 15.25 oz Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Beat the egg white in a large bowl until it is frothy.
- Add the nuts to the bowl and coat them all evenly.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, salt and cinnamon.
- Add the sugar mixture to the nuts and again mix together until the nuts are covered equally.
- Spread the nuts onto a cookie sheet (cover with parchment paper or grease lightly to prevent sticking).
- Bake for 45 minutes, turning with a spatula every 15 minutes.
Looking for MORE delicious holiday recipes?
Follow Sunshine and Hurricanes ‘s board Christmas Food & Baking on Pinterest.
Do you have a favorite homemade gift you love to give at the holidays?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and provided product samples by Kraft Foods, but the content, ideas and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Cami @ The Crafting Nook says
I’m so making this!!! I’m crazy about sugared nuts! better than buying them is making them!!!! Yummmm
Hugs
Meagan says
What a great treat for the holidays! I love candied nuts. They sure are my favorite during the holidays.
Pam says
What a great recipe! These would make a great gift – especially if you packaged them nicely!
Denea says
I love this! I think I will make this this weekend. It’s perfect for my diet (kind of)!!!
sarah says
OMG they had these at an international Christmas market in Ireland once. I LOVED them. Thanks for the recipe.
JanetGoingCrazy says
This would be great for giving to my coworkers at the Christmas party next week. Thanks for the idea!
Yona Williams says
These look really good. I would have never thought that egg whites would play a role in making something like this.
Susannah says
Oh goodness, these sound so tasty!!!!!
Brandy M says
I honestly didn’t realize it was this simple to make these! I love them myself and I know this would be a great gift for a teacher!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Love these. I love sugar coated nuts but these let me know what exactly are in them vs the store bought versions.
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
I love DIY gifts…especially ones that are simple like these! And bonus, I can make a little extra to have my own yummy snack on hand!
alexandria says
These look great. I should whip some of these up for my husband.
Becca says
Perfect for the holidays and a nice little gift!
Erin says
Awesome! This would be perfect for the people in my husbands office! Thanks for the recipe!
Jillian @ Food, Folks and Fun says
These look SO good, perfect for holiday gifting!
nicole says
What a great idea. I love roasted nuts.
Di says
I always buy the nuts in shells at Christmas. It’s just a christmas tradition.
Donna says
How delicious are homemade candied nuts!! We make them all the time around here, but I have to check out your version. Great gift for this time of year too 🙂
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
Oh these sound so good and what great gifts they would make!
Deb- It's me, debcb! says
Those look great and i bet people really love them! I adore homemade gifts!
Julie says
We love making these kinds of gifts and nuts too. Mom’s tradition!
Ourfamilyworld says
That looks yummy! I love nuts. This is such a great gift idea.
Nicole says
My brothers are big fans of Planters Mixed Nuts! They’re going to love this.
Theresa S. says
This looks like such an awesome “Christmas in a jar” gift. Will definitely be bookmarking for future use. Thanks for sharing!
Heather says
Oh my this looks delicious! And something my kids would be able to help me with – that is the test for whether or not we do it, if the littles can be involved 🙂 I can’t wait to try this recipe…and I think we will be keeping some for ourselves as well!
Yanique says
I love the simplicity of this recipe. I can wow all my friends with a great homemade treat that looks rather tasty I might add 🙂
Healing Tomato says
I think I am going to give this delight gift to my boss for Christmas. This is so delicious.
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
Oh I love sugared nuts! So going to make some, thank you so much for your recipe!
cuteheads says
Those seriously scream “holidays” to me. One of my favorite snacks this time of year, thanks for the easy recipe!