There are not too many things I make during the holidays, but every year I make Cinnamon Nuts and give everyone at work and our neighbors a box full of these. The original recipe called for walnuts, but I prefer to use pecans. I've never tried it with almonds, so if someone feels daring, give it a go. This is THE EASIEST RECIPE EVER and you can make a batch in five minutes...I kid you not!
Cinnamon Nuts
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
5 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups nuts (pecans or walnuts are really good)
Combine sugar, cinnamon and water in pan. Boil about three minutes, stirring constantly until it "spins a thread" (I really don't know what that means, but when it starts a full boil, I cook it for 3 minutes from that point and I've never had a problem). Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla and stir in nuts with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir until it "sugars." (You will know immediately when this happens, the liquid all of a sudden just get dry - kind of fun to watch it happen!) Spread on waxed paper to cool.
That's it! I made six batches today and it took about a half hour (I had to keep washing my pans). They taste really good just popping them in your mouth, over ice cream, and I've even got one friend that chops them up and adds them to her pancake batter. Enjoy!
Yummy!
I found these little treat containers at Target to put them in.
I also need to give credit to my mother-in-law for this great recipe - she's the best!
