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Easy Festive Christmas Snack Mix with Cranberries

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A sweet, salty, and slightly tart snack mix loaded with toasted nuts, pretzels, and dried cranberries, coated in a buttery maple glaze with a hint of rosemary. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups roasted, salted mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, and pecans)
  • 1 cup whole pecans
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 2 cups mini pretzels
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (optional)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Stir constantly until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne (if using), and chopped rosemary.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed nuts, pecans, cashews, and mini pretzels. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
  5. Pour the warm butter-maple mixture over the nut and pretzel mixture. Toss until every nut and pretzel is evenly coated.
  6. Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through (at the 7-minute mark). The nuts should look glossy and the pretzels slightly darker at the edges.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet, about 20-30 minutes.
  9. Once completely cool, transfer to a large bowl and add the dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Toss gently to combine.
  10. Give it one final taste and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt if needed.

Notes

Don’t skip the parchment paper for easy cleanup. Watch the oven closely to avoid burning. Let the mix cool completely before adding cranberries to prevent clumping. Use room temperature nuts for better coating adhesion. Double the batch for gifting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas snack mix, holiday snack mix, cranberry nut mix, festive snack mix, easy snack mix, homemade snack mix

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/easy-festive-christmas-snack-mix-with-cranberries/