Candied Nuts with Cinnamon

by | Dec 14, 2013 | Candy

Cinnamon Sugar Nuts

Cinnamon Sugar Nuts

So simple, so tasty and so easy.  These are delicious and make a great holiday nibble.  I’m not sure the nuts still qualify as a ‘heart healthy’ snack after being coated in a combination of brown and white sugar but it’s worth a try.  Use whatever combination of nuts you enjoy most.  I used 2 cups of pecans with 1 cup of almonds but I would also use walnuts or even cashews.

If you prefer a little heat add in 1/2 teaspoon of cayene pepper or add a little citrus flavour with some grated orange rind.  I would definitely double or even triple this recipe!  Don’t wait until after you have made the first batch and it is gobbled up within a day or so.

For today’s recipe you will need:

Nuts, Cinnamon, Sugars, Egg Whites and Water

Nuts, Cinnamon, Sugars, Egg Whites and Water

1 large egg white (I used pasturized egg whites)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups raw almonds

1 cup raw pecans

Preheat oven to 300F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg white and 1 tablespoon water until frothy, about 2 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon.

Add nuts to egg white mixture and mix well until nuts are coated.  Sprinkle sugar cinnamon mixture over top and mix well until nuts are coated.

Nuts coated and ready to bake.

Nuts coated and ready to bake.

Spread the  nut mixture evenly over the parchment lined cookie sheet and place in oven.  Bake for about 25-30 minutes stirring about 1/2 way through.  Remove from oven and cool completely.  Break up and store in an airtight container.

Gift Boxed - a great hostess gift or stocking stuffer.

Gift Boxed – a great hostess gift or stocking stuffer.

Caramel Sauce and Ice Cream Cake

by | Dec 1, 2013 | Candy

Today’s post is easy Caramel Sauce.  What to do with the leftovers, if there are any, why make an ice cream cake.  So simple you won’t need to spend the $40 to purchase one at a specialty store again.

For the Caramel Sauce you need:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup 35% cream

2 Tbsp Corn Syrup

In a small saucepan melt the butter over a low heat.  Stir in the brown sugar, cream and corn syrup.  Cook and stir over the low heat until the mixture just comes to a boil (you will see small bubbles around the edge).

Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Serve when warm.  This will keep in a covered container in your fridge and can be warmed up in the microwave.

IMPORTANT:  This is one of those delicious items you cannot wait to taste.  DON’T, until it has cooled considerably or else you will give yourself a bad burn.  Hold off and then enjoy a spoonful.  It is worth the wait.

Now for the ice cream cake.  Use what you have in the house.  The one I made today was delicious but I would do a couple of things differently which I will suggest.  Each one you make can be unique for the individual you are planning to share it with.

I used a loaf pan and lined it with Saran Wrap to make it easy to remove and cut.  I used a crust of KitKat’s and Coffee Crisp as those are fav’s in my house and I did have a supply in my cupboard.  I would suggest using a chocolate wafer crust or graham wafer crust instead as you need a firm base but something easy to cut through.  Say 1 cup of crumbs with 1/4 cup melted butter mixed together and pressed into the bottom of the pan to create your crust.  Use a springform pan or pie plate, whatever you have on hand, if you don’t like the idea of the loaf pan.

Now top with softened ice cream of your choice.  Use your favourites or mix what you have left in the freezer.  Let the ice cream sit on the counter for maybe 15 minutes or so to soften up.  Scoop a generous amount of ice cream onto the base and gently spread.  I added a layer of caramel and spread it gently on top of my first layer of ice cream and then a layer of chocolate wafers.  Now this is where I would suggest adding the chocolate bars….but I would chop them up and sprinkle them over the caramel.  You could top the caramel with mini chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, chopped nuts or chocolate sauce.

Now add your next layer of ice cream and again top with whatever you like.  For this layer I just added the caramel. Cover lightly with Saran Wrap and put back in the freezer to set for a couple hours.

Remove before serving and cut into slices.

Don’t over think it.  Mine didn’t cut to well as I had the hard frozen chocolate bar crust but it was amazing.  Make it your own.  I hope you enjoy.