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    Home » Life

    Nov 28, 2014 · Modified: Oct 17, 2020 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 17 Comments

    Set Your Holiday Party Table with Planters Cashews and Mixed Nuts

    Nut Desserts Full Tray 1

    This post was sponsored by Planters, but as always, all opinions are 100% my own!

    ’Tis officially the holiday season! Whether you like it or not. I like it. I like everything about it. Except for that feeling when you still have 18 things left on your list to buy and you know you have about 24 hours before shipping by Christmas Eve becomes impossible. Or that feeling when you’re in the mall and you start to get claustrophobic and you’re in a really hot winter coat and all you can hear is the same Christmas song (probably Jingle Bell Rock) playing over and over again and babies crying. Other than those things, I love it all.

    It’s tough to pick my favorite thing about the holidays, but obviously getting in the kitchen to cook and bake (and cocktail!) holiday treats is up there. So, when Planters invited me to team up with them to show how I’d utilize cashews and mixed nuts to entertain during the holiday season, I was totally game. Because I also don’t love when I have 23 holiday parties to attend and no idea what to bring to any of them.

    Problem solved. Also, did you know Planters had so many delicious and fun nut varieties (pro tip: the Salted Caramel Peanuts are one of the best things on Earth. Yes, Earth). Plus, nuts are packed with a combination of good fats, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals, so they make a deliciously powerful addition to any holiday festivity. #GoNuts!

    Planters Holiday Nuts

    I decided to create a holiday party dessert platter, showcasing the various delights you can easily create with Planters Nuts. First on my list was chocolate covered nuts! I made mint chocolate covered cashews. And dark chocolate covered mixed nuts. Dark chocolate is already packed with antioxidants, so when you combine it with nuts, you not only have a delicious dessert, but one that includes lots of healthy benefits.

    Don’t ask me which I liked best because that will only mean I have to go back downstairs to my kitchen to eat another one of each (OK fineee, ask me!)

    They’re super easy to make, which is why you can make them in multiple flavors. If you don’t want to use chocolate, feel free to try them with butterscotch chips… Or peanut butter chips… Or any kind of candy melts!

    I used 10 oz. of chocolate and 8 oz. of nuts for each of these recipes. Lots of recipes will have you using double the chocolate of the nuts, but I didn’t find that necessary. I wanted to let the flavor shine!

    All you do is melt the chocolate. I recommend using a double boiler… Or making your own by putting a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of gently boiling water.

    Mint Chocolate Chips Melted Cashews
    Mint Chocolate Chips

    You could melt the chocolate in a microwave, too, but I find it much easier to melt chocolate via the double boiler method; it’s smoother and easier to control.

    Mint Chocolate Chips Melted

    Once melted, move the saucepan off the heat and mix in the cashews or mixed nuts.

    Planters Mixed Nuts Dark Chocolate Mixed

    Until completely coated in chocolate.

    Mint Chocolate Chips Melted Cashews

    Then scoop tablespoons worth onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. I used a cookie scoop, which made things much easier.

    Mint Chocolate Chips Melted Cashews Scoop

    Let the chocolate harden. Here are the cashews:

    Mint Chocolate Chips Melted Cashews Scoop Sheet

    And the mixed nuts:

    Planters Mixed Nuts Dark Chocolate Scoop

    Of course, you can sprinkle on some festive sprinkles before the chocolate hardens for full holiday effect.

    Dark Chocolate Coverd Mixed Nuts

    Next up for my dessert platter, I made a quick and easy cashew brittle.

    I stirred 1 ¼ C sugar and ½ C water together in a medium saucepan and then brought the mixture to a boil.

    Sugar Caramelizing

    I let it boil for about 5 minutes, until it started to turn golden. And then I continued to cook, stirring every now and then until the sugar was all dissolved and the mixture was much darker. This took about 10 minutes.

    At this point, I took the saucepan off the heat and working quickly, stirred in the cashew. I used 12 oz. because I wanted this brittle to be fully loaded. And then poured the mixture onto a Silpat on a baking sheet. Mine spread perfectly, but if it needs some help, you can spray a metal spatula with some cooking spray and use to spread. Also, if you’re not using a Silpat, you’ll want to spray your baking sheet with oil or rub it in butter. Otherwise, this stuff will stick like crazy!

    Now, let it sit for 20 minutes or so and it will harden right up.

    Break me off a piece of that! Please.

    Peanut Brittle

    I did something similar with maple syrup and cashews, but I only used ¼ C of maple syrup and stirred the cashews in as the syrup boiled. I let it boil for a few minutes, until the maple syrup thickened quite a bit.

    Maple Cashews

    Then I put the cashews on a Silpat and sprinkled powdered sugar over them. Deliciously sweet maple-y flavor.

    You should also be sure to put out a bowl of mixed nuts because some of your party guests will likely enjoy their cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, peanuts, and pistachios au natural.

    Mixed Nuts Bowl

    I’m sure they wouldn’t complain if you put out any of these varieties, either...

    Planters Holiday Nuts 2

    I recommend putting all your nutty treats on a platter and letting your guests pick and choose whatever they want.

    Nut Desserts Full Tray in post

    Add little place cards or labels, so everyone can easily see what each treat is all about.

    Nut Desserts Full Tray 1

    But like I said, don’t make me choose my favorite.

    Would it be weird if I said I wanted to be invited to my own party? Probably.

    Peanut Brittle 2

    I’m pretty sure I just barely touched on the recipes I could have created with Planters cashews and mixed nuts. But I feel like I got a pretty fabulous start on my holiday party planning. Which means one less moment of anxiety in the coming weeks. Deep breaths.

    I’m also pretty sure Santa wouldn’t complain if you left some chocolate covered nuts or cashew brittle out for him. See? You don’t even have to make cookies for him. Plus, remember, nuts are packed with the good fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals… And we all know Santa could use some of that!

    Nut Desserts Full Tray-side

    Here I am just solving all your holiday problems. If only I could purchase all your gifts for you so you’re not freaking out at the last minute. But I’ll be too busy standing in the mall sweating in my huge down jacket as I try to figure out the perfect gift for everyone on my own list.

    At least I can come home from shopping and put my feet up since I know what to bring to all the season’s holiday parties! #GoNuts!

    How do you incorporate cashews and mixed nuts into your holiday party planning?

    [Sues]

    Full disclosure: This post was sponsored by Planters, but as always, all opinions are 100% my own!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

      November 29, 2014 at 2:43 am

      I love the sound of the maple cashews! I'm making some flavoured ones this weekend 🙂

    2. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

      November 29, 2014 at 2:55 pm

      I would be nuts to make these when I was home alone. Ha, pun intended. But it was a serious comment. I wouldn't be able to keep out of them. Waaaaay too easy. But what wonderful gifts and as thank you gestures.

    3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:44 pm

      What a great post, Sues! I love how you created flavorful combinations! The cashew brittle sounds delicious, I just might have to try that!

    4. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

      November 30, 2014 at 1:28 am

      I would totally not be able to be trusted near that dessert tray, Sues! Love these kinds of desserts for the holidays. I always feel a teensy bit better that I'm adding some protein and healthy fats to my diet when I indulge in treats like these. Delicious!

    5. Beth says

      December 01, 2014 at 9:41 am

      Gorgeous! I'd be tamped by the sugared maple cashews.

    6. Beth says

      December 01, 2014 at 9:41 am

      Sorry, meant to type tempted!

    7. Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says

      December 01, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      OMG. I don't know which of these I'd try first. Perfect for gift giving too!

    8. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

      December 01, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      This is brilliant! I'd like a platter like this at my holiday table. I especially love the chocolate covered clusters and the cashew brittle!

    9. Justine says

      December 01, 2014 at 6:30 pm

      I would eat up a whole plate of dark chocolate covered nuts if they were sitting at a part unattended- so good!!!

    10. Odetta says

      December 01, 2014 at 7:12 pm

      Great ideas for a holiday party!

    11. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says

      December 01, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      you have the best assortment ive seen! the maple sugar cashews look like my favourite!!! wow though. im taken aback. good job!

    12. Betty says

      December 01, 2014 at 10:45 pm

      I hope I don't need a party to make these! I've been shopping in the wrong place because I have NOT seen those salted caramel peanuts! Must find them! I would be tempted to make these treats and then stay home and have them to myself. 🙂

    13. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

      December 01, 2014 at 11:41 pm

      OMG I LOVE all these ideas with mixed nuts (something I always seem to have tons of)! Can't wait to try these!

    14. The Duo Dishes says

      December 02, 2014 at 12:40 am

      These are fun recipes! They're great to do ahead of time, or even with kids. Other than incorporating nuts into baked goods or salads, they're a good snack when you need to grab a bite between meals.

    15. House in Tillford says

      December 02, 2014 at 4:03 am

      I love the holiday season! And what yummy snack ideas that can be used throughout the year!

    16. Culinary Flavors says

      December 02, 2014 at 4:29 am

      I think I am in nut heaven with all these delicacies!

    17. katelin says

      December 04, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      Yummy! I love all of these ideas, so tasty!

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    Hi and thanks for visiting! I started We are not Martha to show you how to make recipes that impress without stress, including easy weeknight dinners, delightful desserts, + lots of cocktails.

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