Sugared & Spiced Winter Cheer

Welcome, dear readers, and Happy Winter. I’m delighted you’ve stopped by my kitchen table in this festive Cookie Hop. Today I’m sharing one of my family’s favorites, a warm, sweet-and-spiced nut recipe passed down from Grandma Rose. These are perfect for gifting, snacking, or enjoying beside a good book.

Settle in, enjoy the recipe, and stay for a little Regency holiday magic and a special giveaway just for you.

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Grandma Rose’s Sugared & Spiced Nuts

(Shared by Bari-Lynne from Grandma Rose’s book)

Ingredients
1 pound whole blanched almonds
1 pound pecan halves
(or cashews, walnuts, or your favorite nuts)
1/4 teaspoon salt (up to 1 teaspoon for more salt)
4 egg whites
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1/2 pound sweet butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a very large shallow baking pan, combine nuts and salt. (You may need two pans.)

3. Roast for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Cool.

4. Reduce oven to 325°F.

5. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.

6. Add cinnamon to sugar and gradually beat into egg whites until the mixture forms a soft meringue.

7. Pour the melted butter over the cooled nuts; fold into the meringue.

8. Spread the mixture on the baking pan.

9. Bake for 30 minutes, turning at least twice until the white coating disappears.

10. Let cool completely. Store in jars, tins, or bags.

Perfect for gifting… or keeping all to yourself.

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Regency Winter Tidbit

The “Wassail Window”

During the Regency, the twelve days of Christmas were filled with visits, games, and invitations passed quietly from house to house. One charming custom was the “wassail window.” A hostess placed a candle in her front window to signal her household was ready to receive callers for warm spiced cider, music, and conversation.

In A Vow for the Viscount, I imagine Quinton Hollingsworth pausing outside just such a glowing window — a flicker of warmth that promises welcome when he least expects it. For many, that single candle meant hope in winter. And romance loves a hopeful doorway.

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Warm Up the Season with Romance:
The Ruth A. Casie Winter Reading Bundle Giveaway

To thank you for visiting, I’m offering one lucky reader my
Warm Up the Season with Romance: The Ruth A. Casie Winter Reading Bundle

This includes:
• A complete ebook copy of any Barrington Brigade book that is currently available
• An exclusive sneak peek of the First Chapter from the upcoming A Reckoning for the Earl
• A printable coloring page featuring all four Brigade heroes:
     Ewan, Marquess of Glenraven
     Adam, Duke of Rockford
     Thomas, Baron of Greystone
     Quinton, Viscount of Hollingsworth

To Enter:
• Leave a comment below telling me your favorite winter treat
• Follow or like at:

    Substack – exclusive chapters and behind-the-scenes moments
      https://substack.com/@ruthacasie
    BookBub – follow for new-release alerts
      https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruth-a-casie
    Facebook – events, recipes, and community fun
      https://www.facebook.com/RuthACasie/
    Instagram – because it is the place to be
      https://www.instagram.com/ruthacasie/
    Pinterest – character boards, recipes, and inspiration
      https://www.pinterest.com/ruthacasie/

• Optional (and bonus entries): Sign up for my cozy newsletter – monthly updates and sneak peeks https://ruthacasie.com/newsletter-2/    

A winner will be drawn at the end of the hop.

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Continue the Cookie Hop

Visit the next author on the Cookie Hop here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17TGhpSEyy/

Thank you for stopping by. May your season be warm, bright, and filled with stories that make your heart flutter.

2025 Historical Romance Cookie Exchange Hop

Author Link List

Heather McCollum	https://www.heathermccollum.com/kitchen/
Katherine Lyons	https://katherine-lyons.com/christmas
Ruth A. Casie	https://ruthacasie.com/historical-romance-cookie-exchange-hop/
Elizabeth Rose	https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethRoseNovels
Sara Adrien	https://open.substack.com/pub/authorsara/p/shortbread-for-a-regencystyle-holiday?r=2dhydj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Brenna Ash	https://www.brennaash.com/parlor/
Janna MacGregor	https://www.jannamacgregor.com/cookie
Caroline Warfield	https://www.carolinewarfield.com/the-bakery/
Glynnis Campbell	https://www.glynnis.net/ChristmasCookies
Christina Diane	https://christinadianebooks.com/cookiehop/
Bronwen Evans	https://www.bronwenevans.com/cookie
Deb Marlowe	https://www.debmarlowe.com/cookie-hop.html
Anna St. Claire	https://www.annastclaire.com/contests
Jane Charles	https://www.janecharlesauthor.com/christmas-fun
Tara Kingston	https://www.facebook.com/TaraKingstonAuthor
Terri Brisbin	https://terribrisbin.com/news/2025/12/03/its-time-for-the-holiday-cookie-exchange-hop/
Celeste Barclay	https://www.celestebarclay.com/2025-historical-holiday-cookie-hop
Misty Urban	http://www.mistyurban.com
Katherine Bone	www.katherinebone.com
Alanna Lucas	www.alannalucas.com
Ramona Elmes	https://facebook.com/RamonaElmes
Maeve Greyson	https://maevegreyson.com/updates/holiday-cookie-hop-puppy-chow-is-the-best-holiday-treat-and-very
Hildie McQueen	https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen/
Callie Hutton	https://www.facebook.com/callie.hutton/
Edie Cay	www.ediecay.com
Gina Conkle	ginaconkle.com
Aubrey Wynne	https://aubreywynne.com/historical-romance-holiday-cookie-exchange-hop/
Rachel Ann Smith	https://sendfox.com/rachelannsmith
Charlie lane	www.charlielaneauthor.com
Tabetha Waite	https://www.authortabethawaite.com/blog-1