A delightful snack mix featuring pecans, cranberries, and a hint of citrus and spice.
Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C).
Ensure your oven is fully preheated for even roasting.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, chipotle powder, and orange zest. Mix well with a whisk.
Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Add the pecan halves to the spice mixture and toss until they are evenly coated.
Use a spatula to gently fold the pecans into the mixture.
Spread the coated pecans in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan lined with parchment paper.
Ensure the pecans are not overlapping for even roasting.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent sticking.
Set a timer to remind you to stir the pecans regularly.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the pecans cool completely.
Allowing the pecans to cool ensures they achieve a crispy texture.
Once cooled, mix in the dried cranberries.
Gently fold in the cranberries to avoid breaking them.
Serve the mix in a bowl or store in an airtight container for later.
This mix makes a great gift when packaged in decorative jars.