Spiced Glazed Nuts and Pretzel Mix

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed raw nuts; any combination of cashews, walnuts, almonds, pecan, and hazelnuts
• 1 tablespoon butter, salted or unsalted, melted
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as fleur de sel, or kosher salt
• 2 cups small pretzel twists

Directions

1. Scatter the nuts over a baking sheet and toast them in a 350F (180C) oven for 10 minutes, giving them a stir partway through so they brown evenly.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pepper, and maple syrup until you have a smooth, glossy mixture.
3. Tip the hot nuts into the bowl and toss until every piece is well covered. Add the salt and stir again.
4. Fold in the pretzels, then spread everything back onto the baking sheet. Bake again for 12-18 minutes, stirring a few times as it cooks so the brown sugar glaze does not gather into clumps. The timing can shift a bit, so look for deeply toasted nuts and a shiny coating on the mix.
5. Take the pan out of the oven and let the mixture cool all the way, gently breaking apart the nuts and pretzels as they set. Once cool, store it in an airtight container for up to a week.