Snacks & Desserts | Page 7 of 7

Spicy Whipped Cream

Add some sweet spice…

Whether as a dab of spicy for your slice of pie or as a delicious topper “with kick” for your hot chocolate, spicy whipped cream brings oh-so-tasty sweet heat to all sorts of desserts and drinks. We especially love it atop Mexican brownies – yeah, spice on spice. Or try it with a simple apple or pumpkin pie to provide a little flavor surprise.

The spice comes from simple sources: cayenne pepper powder and cinnamon (for a little extra warmth). This recipe calls for a full teaspoon of cayenne – it’s a good amount, and for those of us who are inclined to “spice it up”, you’ll be satisfied. If you’re looking for more of a mild tickle, go with a half teaspoon instead.

Spicy Almonds

by Matt Bray

Toasted with cayenne kick…

Sure roasted almonds alone are excellent to snack on as they are, but why not take ten minutes and turn those almonds into a fiery treat? Spicy almonds are perfect for parties, adding that extra spice twist that’ll make a memorable splash among friends and family.

Cayenne pepper provides the primary kick, with a little extra warmth from black pepper. It’s significant spice, so feel free to pull back on the cayenne used if you’re preparing for a group where spice tolerance is mixed. Halve the amount of cayenne (1/2 teaspoon) is best for those occasions.

The recipe calls for unsalted roasted almonds, but you can use salted roasted almonds instead – simply remove the extra salt from the ingredient list. We prefer less salt and more heat (and, if you’re reading PepperScale you may too), so opt for the unsalted roasted almonds if you can so that you can control the balance completely.

Old Bay Peanuts

by Matt Bray

Southern snacking…

There are some simple snacks in life that bring so much joy. And for any Marylander, Old Bay peanuts are one of those things. Think of the peanut as the perfect transfer mechanism to get our Old Bay fix. Seriously. It’s Southern snacking perfected down to its simplest form. Easy to make, deliciously nutty and salty, and don’t forget the subtle simmering heat from the paprika in the Old Bay.

Old Bay Sunflower Seeds

by Matt Bray

A perfect Chesapeake snack…

Sure, you can opt for the packaged options, but for us do-it-yourselfers in the kitchen, making it from scratch is so much fun. There’s a delicious simmering heat to Old Bay which we just love, so simple recipes like this homemade Old Bay sunflower seed recipe are right up our alley. It’s quick to make, and there’s that spicy seasoned Maryland crab seasoning flavor that makes you sit up and take notice. To us, it’s a perfect snack – simple, crunchy, a little heat, and a whole lot of spice. Oh, and let’s not forget healthier than most.

Spicy Gingerbread Cookies

by Matt Bray

So many spices, plus an extra kick!

Traditional spiced gingerbread cookies already feature many delicious festive spices, like cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. All three are here, plus the addition of cayenne pepper powder for a spicy kick. Paired with the ground ginger powder, that’s a delicious amount of heat in these cookies. Be sure to label these cookies as “hot!” when serving to family and friends!

Spicy Oatmeal Cookies

by Matt Bray

Turn ho-hum into hot, hot, hot!

We’ll be honest, standard oatmeal cookies aren’t our thing. They tend to be too plain, just ok as a cookie. And in our books, “just ok” for a cookie is a culinary crime!

So why not spice up that ho-hum oatmeal with exotic spices like earthy cumin, fiery ginger powder, and warming nutmeg – and add a punch of heat from spicy cayenne pepper powder to boot? Now this is an oatmeal cookie that has something to say. It’ll warm up even the chilliest night, and that standard glass of milk is the perfect pairing to curb that heat!