Planters Holiday Nuts 'N' Spice Cookies
Sweet and spicy holiday cookies featuring pecans or walnuts, aromatic spices, and a colorful glaze, perfect for festive gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Planters pecan halves or walnuts ⓘ
- 4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Davis baking powder ⓘ
- 1/4 cup Brer Rabbit light molasses ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice ⓘ
- 1/4 cup Blue Bonnet margarine ⓘ
- confectioners sugar glaze ⓘ
- food coloring ⓘ
Instructions
- Finely chop 1 1/2 cups nuts.
- Combine flour, chopped nuts, and baking powder; set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat sugar, molasses, water, allspice, and cinnamon to a boil.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in margarine until melted.
- Blend in flour mixture.
- Chill for 1 hour.
- Divide dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut out dough with floured cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from baking sheets and cool.
- Frost with sugar glaze and decorate with remaining nuts, sprinkles, and candies.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider toasting the pecans or walnuts before chopping them. If you want a vegan version, substitute the margarine with coconut oil and use a flax egg instead of regular eggs. For a festive twist, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough. Make sure to chill the dough to make it easier to roll out.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies make a delightful treat for holiday gatherings or as a dessert after a festive meal. Serve them alongside a warm cup of spiced tea or coffee for a cozy experience. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making for a wonderful dessert. For more sweet inspirations, check out our American recipes section.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, consider freezing them. To reheat, simply pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through. This will help maintain their texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Planters Holiday Nuts 'N' Spice Cookies contains roughly 1192 calories, with 42g protein, 118g carbohydrates, and 73g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (103% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (97% of the Daily Value), and protein (85% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 859mg per serving (37% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans or walnuts?
Yes, you can substitute the pecans or walnuts with almonds, hazelnuts, or even macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile. Just be sure to chop them finely to maintain the texture of the cookies.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is important as it helps firm up the mixture, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes. If you skip this step, the dough may be too soft and difficult to work with.
Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. Alternatively, you can bake the cookies in advance and freeze them, then frost them when ready to serve.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).