You guys, I’ve been making nuts for Christmas, and my kitchen smells like one of those roasted nut stands at the fair or farmers market, right now. <drool>
Two batches of holiday nuts for Christmas are just out of the oven: Cinnamon Vanilla Roasted Almonds and Sweet & Spicy Party Nuts.
If you’re looking for easy nut recipes for Christmas parties or just for holiday snacking, either one (or both) of these recipes would be perfect.
These would also be great nibbles for a cocktail party, to munch on while watching your favorite team on TV, or even for a holiday treat exchange!
My mom always set out a bowl of traditional Christmas nuts for the holidays, complete with the holder for the nutcracker, so nuts at the holidays feels like home to me.
I made them to serve with a charcuterie tray at a party on Saturday, which is another great use for these Christmas nuts.
Plus with only 10 days left until Christmas, it’s time to crank things up a notch if you still have people on your list to figure out a gift for!

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A Great Gift Idea, too!
Packaging some of these nuts in a cute little treat bag with a bow, or even a mason jar would make the sweetest gift.
Remember my post earlier this week about 10 Great Gifts That Aren’t Stuff?
Well, here’s another consumable gift idea that you can whip up in your kitchen in no time. It’s a win/win– it keeps you out of the crowded malls looking for a gift, and it won’t add extra clutter to your recipient’s home.
Sweet & Spicy Party Nuts
These glazed Christmas spiced nuts have just the tiniest bit of kick to them.
Don’t let the name worry you though. They aren’t super hot and spicy at all, just more of a little hint of spice in the background that goes so well with the sweetness.
With just 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne and cumin, they are mild enough for even the kiddos to enjoy.


Sweet & Spicy Party Nuts
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 cup walnut halves untoasted
- 1 cup pecan halves untoasted
- 1 cup almonds untoasted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Combine nuts in a large bowl.
- Heat sugar, water, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted. Cook for 1 minute and remove from heat. Add salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper to liquid and stir.
- Slowly pour butter mixture over the bowl of nuts and stir to coat.
- Transfer nuts to the prepared baking sheet and spread into a single layer. Bake nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Stir nuts until the warm syrup coats every nut.
- Spread into a single layer, return to the oven, and bake until nuts are sticky and roasted, about 6 minutes.
- Allow to cool, and then break into smaller pieces. Store in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
Notes

Cinnamon Vanilla Roasted Almonds
For a fraction of the price, you can make these Cinnamon Vanilla Almonds that are similar to the ones you see (and smell) at festivals, fairs, and markets.
While the Sweet & Spicy Party Nuts are more of a glazed nut, these Cinnamon Vanilla almonds have a crunchy, granulated coating. Both are delicious and different enough that you can serve them both at the same event without it feeling like they are too similar.

Cinnamon Vanilla Roasted Almonds
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 egg white
- 1 lb whole, raw almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, add both sugars, cinnamon, salt and ginger. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Whisk egg white until frothy, either by hand or with a mixer. Add vanilla bean paste and beat to combine.
- Add almonds to egg white and stir to combine. Add sugar mixture and mix to coat completely.
- Spread almonds in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, stirring almonds every 15 minutes.
- Let almonds cool, uncovered.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.

I put both of these recipes together in just about an hour. If you make sure to line your baking sheets with foil, the cleanup is a breeze.

If you decide to make these, I highly suggest buying your nuts in bulk at a warehouse store, like Costco. Their huge bags of raw almonds, walnuts, or pecans are a great value and make this recipe really affordable.

Check back tomorrow, when I will share a recipe for the best oatmeal cookies that also make great gifts!

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I tried making the Cinnamon Vanilla Roasted Almonds last weekend, and they were an instant hit at my book club’s holiday gathering! The scent alone had everyone asking for the recipe. Pairing them with a spiced apple cider really elevated the whole snack experience.
Wow, that sounds like a great pairing! So glad your book club loved them!
I want my kitchen to smell like yours. And, then the bonus byproduct!
Thanks for the inspiration. Gotta get going if adding these to my gifting list.
Be well,
These would make a great festive gift idea! Thanks for joining the fiesta
Congratulations! Your fantastic post is featured on Full Plate Thursday,514 this week and we have pinned it on our Feature Board. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us and have a great week!
Miz Helen
Thank you so much!
YUM! I love, love, love nuts, and these look absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe; I’ve pinned it to my Christmas board.
And thank you for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thank you so much, Richella! 🙂
Niky, nuts are a huge part of my diet, love them! And these two recipes look wonderful. I’ll have a hard time deciding which one to make first!
They were both delicious! I don’t think you will be disappointed in either. Or make BOTH like I did! 🙂 We just loaded up on more nuts from Costco to make these again ourselves!
This would be perfect to give as gifts for the holidays. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Nice blog and content, I really excited, thanks for share!
I haven’t made nuts like this in many years and now I am drooling! I had quite forgotten about how delicious they are! Thanks for linking up with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Good Morning, Niky! These sure look delicious. I wish I could eat or make them but I am so very much allergic to nuts. Thanks for linking up today. ~smile~ Roseanne
Oh no, I can’t imagine not being able to eat nuts! They’re one of my staples! Thanks for checking out my post, nonetheless!
Yummm! Those nuts look amazing!
Thanks, Veronica! 🙂