Marrying candied nuts with trail mix was one of the best, and most dangerous, kitchen decisions I’ve had – so addicting. I used a combo of raw, unsalted pecans, cashews, and almonds. I added dried cranberries, dried cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips after baking. If you’re not fond of certain dried fruits or certain chocolate, use what you prefer. The mix is salty and sweet, packed with rich cinnamon sugar flavor, and there’s so many textures from crunchy to chewy in every bite. It’s irresistible and will be your new favorite fall snack.
3cupsnutsI used 1 cup each of pecans, cashews, and almonds. All were raw and unsalted
1egg white from a large eggwhisked to frothy
1tablespoonwater
½cupgranulated sugar
¼cupbrown sugarpacked (light or dark is fine)
2+ teaspoons cinnamonI used 1 tablespoon
½teaspoonsaltoptional and to taste
1 ½cupsdried fruitI used 3/4 cup each dried cranberries and dried cherries
1 ½cupsbaking chipsI used 3/4 cup each semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper. Don’t skip lining your baking sheet; set aside.
To a large bowl, add the nuts; set aside. I recommend using raw, unsalted nuts but if you can’t find them, previously roasted/salted will likely work but monitor baking time and optional salt level.
In a small bowl, add the egg white, water, and whisk vigorously until very frothy, foamy, and bubbly, about 2 minutes by hand.
Pour egg mixture over the nuts and stir to coat.
Add the sugars, cinnamon, optional salt, and stir very well to coat evenly.
Turn nuts out onto to prepared baking sheet, spreading them in an even flat layer.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once midway through (I baked 28 minutes); don’t overbake or nuts can burn. Coating may appear bubbly, possibly a bit runny and loose in the center of tray even when nuts are ready to be pulled from oven, but firms up dramatically as nuts cool. Use your judgment and let your nose and eyes be your guide to doneness.
Allow nuts to cool on baking tray for at least 2 hours. Ideally, leave nuts on baking tray and exposed overnight as it helps them get extra crispy and crunchy.
When nuts are cooled completely, sprinkle the dried fruit and baking chips over nuts.
Use your hands to break apart large clusters and disperse fruit and baking chips throughout.
Transfer mix to airtight containers, jars, or baggies. Mix will keep airtight at room temperature for at least 1 month.