Peppermint Cocoa Roasted Nuts

Do not leave yourself unattended with these SUPER addicting Peppermint Cocoa Roasted Nuts because they will be gone. Best for parties, cocoa lovers, and fridays at the office!
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Disclaimer: I am not to be blamed for any magic disappearing nuts. Don’t leave them out where people will find them, especially if you’re “saving” them. You’ve been warned.

It’s been requested by a very close friend that I make some spiced/roasted nuts. Because everyone likes them! So I sat down and brainstormed flavor combos. Here’s what I came up with before circling back around to the ultimate answer to all food related questions: ALWAYS CHOCOLATE.

cinnamon spice (maple?)
mint? cocoa powder
savory, lime chili pepper?

Then I was like, CHOCOLATE, ALWAYS CHOCOLATE. Glad I didn’t go with a savory version because apparently people don’t like that:

Here are some reasons you should make these nuts for your next gathering:

• They are probably the most addicting ‘snack’ on this entire website which is both bad and good. #dangeroussnacking
• These nuts are easy peasy to make – whisk an egg white, coat the nuts, add the sugar, spread on a baking sheet, and roast. DONE.
• They can be made way ahead and don’t have to be reheated or plugged in. The hostess will appreciate this.
• Let me repeat myself: CHOCOLATE, ALWAYS CHOCOLATE (or cocoa)
• I use peppermint extract to get a lingering hint of peppermint that doesn’t overpower your nostrils, but instead meshes perfectly with the cocoa sugar coating.

I think in the future I may experiment with some slightly healthier versions of roasted or spiced nuts, but for this recipe, I was just getting the hang of roasting nuts in general. Next time, I’d like to try honey, or even maple syrup! If you happen to be in the mood for some healthier spiced nut options, I’d like to point you in these directions:

• Chocolate Chai Roasted Almonds from The Simple Veganista (sweetened with maple syrup)
• Chocolate Honey Roasted Almonds from Amy’s Healthy Baking (sweetened with honey)
• Spiced Maple Roasted Nuts from The Viet Vegan (sweetened with maple syrup/raw cane sugar)
• Cinnamon and Honey Roasted Nuts from Paleo Grubs (sweetened with honey)

I’m sure there’s at least one version of spiced nuts that you will love. CHOCOLATE, ALWAYS CHOCOLATE. I mean, what else??

Here’s how mine come together: coat the nuts with whisked egg white, peppermint extract and vanilla (left), dump the sugar and spice right on top (right), and mix (bottom)!

After every nut is sufficiently coated with the egg white/sugar mixture, spread them all out on a baking sheet lined with a SilPat or parchment paper (but I seriously recommend the SilPat). Bake for around 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.

LAST STEP: Let them cool for at least 15 minutes. They’re soft and a little weird for the first solid 10 minutes out of the oven. So much so that I thought I had seriously failed the first time I made them. NUH UH. They harden as they cool. That’s like, a baking rule, right? YOU GOT THIS.

More tasty treats from Project Meal Plan:

• Chocolate Espresso Zucchini Brownies
• Fruit Sweetened Mini Pumpkin Pies
• Pumpkin Spice Zucchini Bread Squares

Did you make this? I want to see how it turned out! Tag me in your social media post @projectmealplan and use #projectmealplan when you share!

Recipe

Peppermint Cocoa Roasted Nuts

Yield: 4 cups nuts 1x

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Prep: 10 minutesCook: 40 minutesTotal: 50 minutes

Peppermint Cocoa Roasted Nuts: Cashews and almonds coated with a sweet cocoa shell and a hint of peppermint, roasted to perfection!

Scale: 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 cups raw almonds
• 2 cups raw cashews
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg white until white and foamy, but before any peaks begin to form. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts and stir briefly until mixed. Add the raw nuts to the egg mixture, and stir until all nuts are coated.
3. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over the nut mixture and stir until all nuts are coated and there’s little to no loose sugar mixture in the bottom of the bowl.
4. Spread nuts on a large baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper. Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring halfway through. The nuts may appear a little puffed up from the egg sugar mixture, but this is normal.
5. Let the nuts cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. They will seem soft when they first come out of the oven, but will harden as they cool. Stir the nuts a couple times while cooling so large clumps do not harden together.
6. Store in an airtight container and consume within 3 days.

Equipment

Silpat Half Sheet Size Silicone Baking Mat

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6-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

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Notes

Adapted from Sugar-and-Spice Nuts from Food and Wine. Nutrition information estimated with My Fitness Pal.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: about 1/4 cup
• Calories: 197
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g

© Author: Danielle

Method: Baked

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Thanks for checking out Peppermint Cocoa Roasted Nuts! Be sure to use #projectmealplan on social media if you make this recipe!