Here is a spiced/sweet nut recipe I made last year and then put into little jars for gifts. I just used the reg. sugar.
Sweet Spiced Walnuts
16oz bag walnuts
1/4C maple syrup
1/4tsp vanilla extract
2tsp cinnamon
2Tb sugar (I recommend turbanado to make them sort of sparkly)
-Preheat oven to 350.
-Mix walnuts and maple syrup together well in a large bowl. Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix well.
-Pour nuts onto a foil lined, or silicone mat lined cookie sheet (I recommend a silpat, it makes it easier to get the nut off the sheet at the end). Sprinkle sugar over the top of the nuts and stir a little on the sheet.
-Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking on them and stirring every 5 minutes so they don't burn.
-When they're done to your liking, remove from oven and remove the liner from the pan carefully so as not to burn yourself or spill the nuts. Allow the nuts to cool on the liner for about 5 to 10 minutes before removing them to a plate or a cooled cookie sheet to allow them to cool the rest of the way.
-When cooled store in an airtight container.
I cannot tell you how good these were..yum I even added some ground red pepper to a batch...not much just enough to give them a kick. Guys loved them!
Of course there is always the pretzel rods dipped into melting chocolate and then into sprinkles, coconut, etc. I have a neighbor who keeps telling me he can't wait till Dec. so he can receive them again. ha Do you think that was a direct hint?
