Vintage Eats Recipe: 1980 Spiced Pecans

Christmas is almost here. Yikes!

If you’re, like me, short on time and cash but need a dish to take to a gathering, I suggest Spiced Pecans.

They can be whipped it up in less than 15 minutes.

Allow 30 minutes for them to cool after baking and you can scoop these luscious, gluten-free snacks into one large dish with a spoon for dipping or scoop them into small bags to hand it off as nice gifts.

The recipe couldn’t be simpler. If you have kids with unexpected school delays, due to bad weather, work with them on this recipe to give them a great feeling of creating a yummy culinary delight.

This recipe comes from the Missions Committee of Sonlight Wesleyan Church of Bluffton, Indiana. The copyright date is vague – 1968-1987. I’m guessing it’s closer to the latter years, due to the good condition of this spiral-bound cookbook, which I purchased in a local online auction.

What made this recipe special for me was that it was submitted by an old friend – Betty Surbaugh. Sadly, Betty is now deceased but I remember her country kitchen as cozy and her spirit gracious and kind.

I can imagine her making these tasty treats for friends and family.

I hope you, reader, can imagine me making treats for friends and family in my kitchen. I assure you it’s a joy passing around homemade treats like my mom, grandmas, aunts, and other friends have done throughout the decades. They might all be gone now, but I’m trying to preserve the tradition of sharing gifts from the kitchen, all of which are spread liberally with love.

Next week I’m traveling by air to another part of the country to visit with my kids for Christmas. I can’t wait to see everyone! We won’t have a ‘normal’ Christmas here at my house in our small town and see friends from the past my kids grew up with.

But we are willing to start new traditions with new family members and I could not be more pleased.

I admit, Christmas is still a challenge to anticipate without several beloved family members around. But we’re trusting God to get us through each moment.

Thanks for your support this year.

If you have thoughts you’d like to share about your Christmas traditions or plans or baking, feel free.

I hope you have a blessed week!

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Spiced Pecans

1 pound pecan halves

1 egg white

1 Tablespoon water

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

In large bowl beat egg white and water until foamy, not stiff.

In small dish mix sugar, salt and cinnamon.

Pour nuts into egg white and stir until coated.

Add sugar mixture, stirring until coated (I used my hand for both steps).

Spread on foil lined cookie (I used two 9”x12” pans covered with parchment paper).

Bake 30-45 minutes in 300-degree oven. Let cool for 30 minutes.

You may have to break sections apart to place in gift bags or on a tray.

Yield: 8 cups.