nutty

Bready or Not Original: Bourbon Walnuts

Posted by on Apr 29, 2026 in alcohol, Blog, boozy, Bready or Not, nutty | 0 comments

Making homemade Bourbon Walnuts is pretty easy, and is a lot more cost-effective than buying them from a store!

Bready or Not Original: Bourbon Walnuts

You don’t need fancy bourbon for this recipe. Basic is fine. The bourbon adds a wonderful refreshing flavor. I know I’ll likely be asked if it can be omitted from the recipe, too. The answer: probably? The walnuts will still likely taste fine, but the lower amount of liquid will mean it cooks faster, so keep a close eye on things and reduce cook time as appropriate.

Bready or Not Original: Bourbon Walnuts

I doubt I will surprise anyone when I say that I enjoy candied nuts like this alongside cheese and other accompaniments. That said, these walnuts are versatile. Use them in a salad, or on ice cream, or as a snack for a road trip or during a work day.

Bready or Not Original: Bourbon Walnuts

Bready or Not Original: Bourbon Walnuts

Bourbon gives these Bourbon Walnuts a refreshing zing that is perfect with the crystalized sugar coating.
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Keyword: alcohol, walnuts
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • rimmed baking pans
  • aluminum foil
  • medium pot

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole walnuts
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 3 Tablespoons bourbon
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • sprinkle cloves
  • sprinkle kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil.
  • Place all ingredients in a medium pot. Stirring all the while, bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat to cook at a simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until mixture has thickened to coat the walnuts.
  • Spread the nuts evenly on the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the coating is quite thick.
  • Transfer to another rimmed baking pan or plate that is heat-resistant, and use a spatula to stir and toss the walnuts for a couple minutes to break apart any large clumps and start the cooling process.
  • Enjoy eating as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Let cool completely before placing in a sealed container at room temperature. Walnuts will keep for several weeks.
  • Enjoy eaten straight, with cheese, in salads, on ice cream, or in various other ways.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Buttered Pecans

    Posted by on Mar 25, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, gluten-free, nutty | 0 comments

    This Buttered Pecans recipe is very simple. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a nice serving of toasted, sugared nuts that can be divided for use as gifts or offered up to feed people at a gathering.

    Bready or Not Original: Buttered Pecans

    Or, if you’re like me, make them for yourself and enjoy them alongside cheese for a few weeks.

    Bready or Not Original: Buttered Pecans

    These pecans are not thickly coated with sugar, though you may get some sweet globs depending on how things are stirred together at the end.

    Bready or Not Original: Buttered Pecans

    Bready or Not Original: Buttered Pecans

    These Buttered Pecans are perfect as an appetizer, a gift, or an accompaniment for cheese!
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Keyword: pecans
    Author: Beth Cato

    Ingredients

    • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar packed
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
    • 2 cups whole pecans
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature

    Instructions

    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Preheat oven or air fryer at 325 degrees.
    • Combine brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Measure pecans into the baking pan. Pinch off some of the soft butter and rub it into the pecans. Repeat until all of the butter is coating the pecans. Pour on the sugar mix and stir to coat.
    • Bake pecans for 5 minutes. Stir. Bake 10 more minutes. Taking care, because this stuff is hot, scoop up any liquified sugar and coat the nuts. Transfer the pecans to a plate or another pan to cool.
    • Start enjoying after the nuts have cooled to a safe level. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for upwards of 3 weeks.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake

      Posted by on Mar 18, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, nutty | 0 comments

      I love a good bundt cake, and this Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake is especially good. To me, it seems like a coffee cake with the spiced crumble on the inside!

      Bready or Not: Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake

      I’ve had this recipe for years and years, clipped from a pretty old issue of Cook’s Country magazine. Their goal was to make a from-scratch version of the Duncan Hines cake mix recipe that dates to the 1970s–hence the very 1970s name.

      Bready or Not: Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake

      They used a food processor, and so I did as well. It does make the cake-making extremely easy, and the crumb was light and soft, as they promised. However, the cake can be mixed by hand or with a mixer. If you do, however, be sure to chop the pecans.

      Bready or Not: Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake

      Bready or Not: Sock-It-To-Me Bundt Cake

      This big bundt cake is rewritten from a version in Cook’s Country, the February/March 2009 issue. It’s rather like a coffee cake but the streusel is on the inside.
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: bundt cake, pecans
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • food processor
      • large bundt cake or tube pan (12 cups)
      • baking spray with flour

      Ingredients

      Streusel

      • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
      • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled a smidgen
      • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
      • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
      • 3/4 cup pecans

      Cake

      • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1 teaspoon salt
      • 2 cups white sugar
      • 4 large eggs room temperature
      • 1 cup sour cream or vanilla or plain Greek yogurt, room temperature
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) melted and cooled

      Glaze

      • 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
      • 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk or half & half
      • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

      Instructions

      • The base recipe is written for the food processor, but the ingredients can be mixed by machine or hand as well, though the crumb will not be as fine.
      • Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Use a baking spray with flour to fully coat every nook and cranny on the interior of the bundt or tube pan.
      • Start by making the streusel. In the food processor, combine the flour, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Pulse until everything is ground down. Transfer to another bowl. Wipe out food processor (no need to do a thorough wash).
      • Now it's time for the cake batter. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of the food processor, blend together sugar, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually pour in the melted butter. Add the dry ingredient mix, pulsing until just combined.
      • Pour about half the batter into the bundt pan. Sprinkle the streusel to cover. Pour on the other half of the batter. Smooth out the top.
      • Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick plunged into the center comes out clean. Cool for about 20 minutes, then carefully invert onto a rack to cool.
      • After the cake is fully cool, mix up the glaze. The result should be thick and smooth. Place cake on cutting board or serving dish. Drizzle glaze over cake so it oozes down the sides. Let set about 2 hours, speeding the process in fridge, if desired.
      • Slice and serve. Keeps well at room temperature for at least 4 days. Cake pieces can also be individually wrapped and frozen.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Almond Crinkle Cookies

        Posted by on Feb 4, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, nutty | 0 comments

        These Almond Crinkle cookies achieve a bold almond flavor through a combination of almond flour and almond extract. Do note that they are not gluten-free, as they also include regular all-purpose flour!

        Bready or Not: Almond Crinkle Cookies

        I found these cookies to be pleasantly chewy. And, of course, they are a little messy thanks to a coating of confectioners’ sugar.

        Bready or Not: Almond Crinkle Cookies

        Modified from Better Homes & Gardens December 2023 issue.

        Bready or Not: Almond Crinkle Cookies

        Bready or Not: Almond Crinkle Cookies

        These cookies use a mix of standard flour and almond flour to create a almond-infused dough with a delicate coating of powdered sugar on top. Makes about 40 cookies.
        Course: Dessert
        Keyword: almond, cookies
        Servings: 40 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • plastic wrap
        • small cookie scoop or teaspoon
        • parchment paper

        Ingredients

        Dough

        • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
        • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
        • 2 large eggs
        • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
        • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1 cup almond flour sifted
        • 1 teaspoon baking powder
        • 1/2 teaspoon salt

        Topping

        • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

        Instructions

        • In a large bowl, beat together butter and white sugar until fluffy. Follow up with the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.
        • In another bowl, combine the two flours along with the baking powder and salt.
        • Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, scraping the bottom of the bowl to incorporate everything. At this point, wrap the dough in plastic to chill for at least an hour, or freeze dough for later.
        • When ready to bake, preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure the confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl.
        • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to shape small balls of dough. Roll in confectioners’ sugar to coat. Place spaced out on parchment-covered sheet.
        • Bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Let set a few minutes then transfer to a rack to fully cool. Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not: Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

          Posted by on Jan 28, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

          These Cinnamon Streusel Cookies have a unique look and flavor.

          Bready or Not: Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

          The base tastes like a sugar cookie. What makes it special is the streusel filling, which spreads out during the baking process, effectively spreading out the warm flavor and crunchy texture as well.

          Bready or Not: Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

          In the recipe, I emphasize the need to make deep wells within the dough balls. Really heap that filling in there! It may look like a lot at that stage, but as I noted above, the streusel spreads out. You don’t want to end up with almost naked cookies.

          Bready or Not: Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

          These special cookies have a sugar cookie-like base and a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced topping. Makes about 26 cookies.
          Course: Dessert
          Keyword: cookies, pecans
          Servings: 26 cookies
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • parchment paper
          • large cookie scoop or tablespoon

          Ingredients

          Topping

          • 1 Tablespoon white sugar
          • 2/3 cup pecans finely chopped
          • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter melted

          Dough

          • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
          • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon salt
          • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • 5 Tablespoons shortening cut into pieces
          • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
          • 1 1/4 cup white sugar
          • 2 large eggs

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
          • Mix the topping: in a bowl, combine the sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and butter. Set aside.
          • Mix the dough: In a medium bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
          • In a large mixing bowl, beat together shortening and sugar. Mix in the melted butter. Beat in the eggs. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
          • Use a large cookie scoop or tablespoon to form a ball of dough. Place on parchment and press a thumb into the middle to form a deep well. (If the dough is sticky, put some water in a saucer and moisten thumb before using it to create the wells.) Form deep wells with each ball of dough. Fill wells with a heap of streusel topping.
          • Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until cookies are just turning golden. Let rest a few minutes on sheet, then transfer to a rack to fully cool.
          • Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            Posted by on Jan 14, 2026 in apples, Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            Most apple bars have, well, apples in them, the fresh sort. This Honey Nut Apple Bar recipe is different. It uses a small amount of apple butter or applesauce, and that little but goes a long way.

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            These bars are imbued with apple flavor, spice, and honey sweetness, all of which perfectly complement the crunchy walnuts throughout.

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            This is a bar that’d be great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

            These bars are delicious and unique, not standard apple bars at all!
            Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
            Keyword: apple butter, applesauce, bars, walnuts
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • 13×9 pan
            • aluminum foil
            • nonstick spray

            Ingredients

            Bars

            • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
            • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
            • 1/2 cup white sugar
            • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
            • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
            • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1/3 cup canola oil
            • 1 large egg room temperature
            • 1/4 cup apple butter or applesauce
            • 1/4 cup runny honey
            • 1 cup chopped walnuts

            Icing

            • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
            • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
            • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
            • 1 Tablespoon water
            • 2 Tablespoons runny honey

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil. Add nonstick spray or grease with butter.
            • In a bowl, combine both flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
            • In a mixing bowl, beat together the oil, egg, apple butter, and honey. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, scraping the bottom of the bowl. Fold in the walnuts.
            • Spread batter in pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test. Immediately make the icing. Spread over the bars; it may look lumpy at first, but the heat will smooth it out as it is evened.
            • Cool bars completely, speeding the process in the fridge if desired. Use foil to lift bars onto cutting board to slice up; place waxed paper between stacked layers. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

            OM NOM NOM!

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