I Come Bearing Munchies

in All Posts

Christmas is a big deal to my in-laws.  Word is that my sister-in-law has created an epic menu that spans Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (it’s on the 26th; it’s a British thing).  The house is decorated, and the tree is trimmed.  I was told to bring nothing but my festive smile and our Secret Santa gifts, but we simply can’t show up empty-handed.

IMG_5451

Here’s a sweet little gift that you can create from ingredients you probably already have hiding in your pantry – Molasses Almonds.  If you don’t have molasses, you could sub in maple syrup – I bet it would be tasty!

IMG_5448

Molasses Almonds

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups whole almonds (mine were roasted and salted)
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 heaping cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 heaping cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dark molasses
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger

 

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • Beat egg whites until frothy, then add in all reminding ingredients except almonds and mix well.
  • Mix in almonds, thoroughly coating the nuts.
  • Spread out on greased casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once.
  • Remove and let fully cool.  Break apart and store in air-tight container.

IMG_5447

Off to pick up DadHTP from the airport; he flew in all the way from California.  Let the celebrations begin!

{ 37 comments }

 

  • Army Amy* December 23, 2011, 8:25 pm

    Yum! And giving anything in a cute jar like that makes it even better!*

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 23, 2011, 8:26 pm

    Oh those look so delicious!

  • Andrea (Run. Learn. Repeat.) December 23, 2011, 8:44 pm

    Wow, those look amazing! I need to make these for Christmas. I bet they make your house smell so good!

  • Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) December 23, 2011, 8:55 pm

    Enjoy your family time Caitlin! Have a Merry Christmas!

  • Sana December 23, 2011, 9:04 pm

    Happy Holiday’s!

    • Sana December 23, 2011, 9:04 pm

      oops! Hoildays*

  • Amanda December 23, 2011, 9:53 pm

    You don’t have boxing day in the U.S.? In Canada it’s a huge deal.

    • Caitlin December 24, 2011, 11:55 am

      Nope!!! I didn’t know Canadians celebrated it!

      • Alexis December 24, 2011, 4:09 pm

        We celebrate with our version of black Friday

  • Jen December 23, 2011, 9:55 pm

    Boxing Day is a Canadian thing too!

  • Khushboo December 23, 2011, 10:58 pm

    Boxing Day is almost as huge as Christmas itself in the UK- everything stays shut! Happy holidays!

  • Maren December 23, 2011, 10:59 pm

    So get this: my bf’s boss is British and he invited us to “boxing day” on the 26th. They are building a new house which should be done around Jan/Feb, so we honestly thought they wanted us to help them pack!!! Hahaha woooowwww I feel soooo dumb right now! I had no idea! 🙂 Learn something new everyday!

    Merry Christmas!

    • Caitlin December 24, 2011, 11:55 am

      Hahah that is really cute.

  • Corrie Anne December 23, 2011, 11:55 pm

    Those look amazing. I love the molasses flavor so much at Christmas!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] December 24, 2011, 12:10 am

    yummm… & molasses + almonds are super nutritious!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen December 24, 2011, 12:10 am

    These look super addictive! Enjoy the holiday with your families 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 24, 2011, 12:48 am

    I make some nuts that are very similar … so good!

  • Jen December 24, 2011, 1:42 am

    Merry Christmas, Caitlin – to you and your beautiful (growing) family! Hope your holidays are filled with blessings! 🙂

    • Caitlin December 24, 2011, 11:55 am

      Thank you Jen!

  • Cali December 24, 2011, 7:11 am

    Boxing Day is big here in Canada too.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 24, 2011, 7:19 am

    We have Boxing day here in Canada too – it’s the best day for shopping and scoring deals!

    Enjoy your Christmas Caitlin! 🙂

  • Marlène December 24, 2011, 7:53 am

    Haha, funny to see how many Canadians follow your blog! I was going to write that Boxing Day is huge in Canada (in fact, we get the day off work) but I see lots of people have already said that!

    It’s funny, because we don’t have Black Friday, so the 26 is our big shopping day!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

    • Jen December 24, 2011, 9:18 am

      Not only do we get the day off, but we even get paid for it since it’s a stat holiday! lol. My favourite part of the day (cuz I have no patience for the crowds at the malls on the 26th, not to mention, I’m always broke by Boxing Day!)

  • Nathalie December 24, 2011, 8:27 am

    Wishing you a wonderful and merry Christmas with your loved ones!!!xxx
    I love all the different Christmas traditions! I especially love that when Christmas Day or Boxing Day fall on weekends that we get an extra bank holiday or two on Monday/Tuesday. Same for New Year’s day.

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous December 24, 2011, 8:49 am

    I love making nuts for gifts. I coat mine in butter and sugar and spices, so good!

  • jen December 24, 2011, 8:59 am

    Caitlin not related to this post but what did you mean in the previous post when you said, “And I have to snack before I’m actually hungry or it’s all for nothing.” Does that mean you get the headache if you don’t eat before you are hungry or that the 300 calories don’t count as extra if you are hungry for them? Is this something your doctor told you? I am very curious! Thanks!

    • Caitlin December 24, 2011, 11:56 am

      Hey there!

      No, pregnant women in the second trimester are supposed to eat an extra 300 calories on top of their normal diet, which should account for calories burned via exercise. My problem with headaches is that if I left myself feel hungry, I get a headache and it doesn’t go away. Does that make sense?

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife December 24, 2011, 12:18 pm

    Have FUN!! Those sound tasty 🙂

  • Ellie@Fit for the Soul December 24, 2011, 12:57 pm

    whoaaa those almonds look killer! In a good way.

  • Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine December 24, 2011, 1:33 pm

    Mmmmm you really can’t go wrong with roasted almonds!

  • Amber K December 24, 2011, 2:08 pm

    Those look delicious! I love molasses. I wonder what other nut I should substitute since I can’t have almonds. Maybe pecans? I bet those would work. Yum!

    Merry Christmas Caitlin to you and yours 🙂

  • Kate December 24, 2011, 3:14 pm

    I didn’t know your dad lived in California! Cool. What part? I’m in Orange County.

  • Allie December 24, 2011, 3:40 pm

    We have Boxing Day in Canada as well! It’s sort of like your Black Friday…everything goes on sale and (in Canada) it is another holiday day 🙂 Enjoy your celebrations!!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery December 24, 2011, 7:21 pm

    Are you excited that this time next year you’ll have a little one to take with you to Christmas gatherings? 🙂 That must be so exciting! Merry Christmas to you and the husband!

  • Simone December 24, 2011, 8:09 pm

    Hi Caitlin, Merry Christmas from Aus! I love reading your blog!! I’m surprised you don’t have Boxing Day in the US! It’s a great day to rest up from all the eating or hit the sales! Enjoy your celebrations! Simone xo

    • CaitlinHTP December 24, 2011, 9:40 pm

      Thank you Simone!!!

  • Devon December 24, 2011, 9:18 pm

    Very cool! I might steal this almond recipe for next year! ;-). I made homemade cupcakes to bring to work since i work on Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point