(Family Features) ’Tis the season for sweet and savory favorites – from the mouthwatering desserts you crave each year to starters and snacks that hold over hungry guests. Elevate your holiday entertaining with the right combination of appetizers, main courses, sides, sweets and beyond that start with the same seasonal staple: pecans.

As a versatile nut that can be used throughout the holidays, pecans have you covered so you can cook and enjoy a myriad of dishes, add festive flair to decor, or provide a nutritious snack in the midst of season-long indulgences. This year, pick up an extra bag of pecans to create nutritious, delicious dishes to enjoy on-the-go or serve to guests.

To help celebrate the holiday season, the American Pecan Promotion Board introduced a digital Pe-Calendar to highlight the many ways pecans can be enjoyed in and beyond a traditional pie. From Dec. 7-18, the interactive calendar will unveil tasty recipes for pecan fans to enjoy, along with fun games that can enter you in to win exciting prizes each day. From delicious Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney to nutritious Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate, along with prizes, the calendar provides an ultimate way to shell-ebrate with the must-have holiday nut.

To sign up for daily email reminders to open a new door for chances to win nutty prizes, or to find additional holiday recipes, visit EatPecans.com.

Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney

Recipe courtesy of the American Pecan Promotion Board
Cook time: 24 minutes
Servings: 8

• 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, plus 1 teaspoon for garnish, divided
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 orange, zest and juice only
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme, plus additional for garnish, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary
• 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
• 1 round brie (13.4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup roasted pecan pieces
• crackers
• toasted bread
• apple slices

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
2. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring cranberries (reserving some for garnish), 1/2 cup maple syrup and water to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and mixture thickens, 8-10 minutes.
3. Remove cranberry mixture from heat and stir in orange zest, orange juice, 1 teaspoon thyme, rosemary and bourbon, if desired.
4. Place brie on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 5-7 minutes, or until inside of cheese softens while outside remains intact.
5. Transfer brie to serving platter and top with chutney and toasted pecans. Drizzle remaining maple syrup over brie and garnish with remaining fresh thyme and reserved cranberries. Serve with crackers, toasted bread and apple slices.

Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate

Recipe courtesy of Jess Larson and the American Pecan Promotion Board
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes, plus 10 minutes cooling time
 

• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1 cup rice squares cereal (wheat or cinnamon)
• 1/2 cup pretzels
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. In large, microwave-safe bowl, add pecans, rice squares cereal and pretzels. In small, microwave-safe bowl, add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and nutmeg. Microwave butter mixture 1-2 minutes until melted then pour over dry mix. Toss well to combine.
2. Microwave snack mix in 45-second intervals, about 4-5 intervals total, until mix is fragrant, golden and toasty.
3. Cool mix completely then stir in cranberries and dark chocolate chips.

American Pecan Promotion Board

(Family Features) Work, social commitments, kids’ activities and the daily grind can take over schedules and wreak havoc on your opportunities to sit at the table for meals. As your calendar seems to fill up with meetings, family occasions and more, you might just find yourself skipping breakfast or lunch and opting for filling snacks instead.

In fact, according to the International Food Information Council’s 2022 Food and Health Survey, 75% of Americans snack at least once per day, which means 2023 could become the year of the snack. Whether it’s forgoing breakfast at home for a bite on the go or powering up with an afternoon morsel, one flavor favorite and nutritional powerhouse you can turn to is the pecan.

As pecans are used in an increasing number of snack innovations, they’re being hailed as the fastest growing nut in new snack applications, according to Information Resources Inc. They’re an ideal snack for punching up your routine with great taste, plant-based nutrition and an easy-to-pair profile.

For example, they’re poised to remix your snack mix mentality as they complement sweet, savory, spicy and buttery combinations. Ready in less than half an hour, you can add some sweetness to your workday with this Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate for a fruity, nutty, chocolatey twist on traditional trail mix.

If a saltier treat is more your speed, consider this Salty Pecan Snack Mix for a grab-and-go breakfast as you head out the door or an easy way to keep hunger at bay in the afternoon. Because pecans pair with a variety of ingredients and flavors, they’re a perfect partner for this combination of rolled oats, coconut, honey, cinnamon and more.

Find more sweet and savory recipe inspiration at EatPecans.com.

Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate

Recipe courtesy of Jess Larson and the American Pecan Promotion Board
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes, plus 10 minutes cooling time

• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1 cup rice squares cereal (wheat or cinnamon)
• 1/2 cup pretzels
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. In large, microwave-safe bowl, add pecans, rice squares cereal and pretzels. In small, microwave-safe bowl, add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and nutmeg. Microwave butter mixture 1-2 minutes until melted then pour over dry mix. Toss well to combine.
2. Microwave snack mix in 45-second intervals, about 4-5 intervals total, until mix is fragrant, golden and toasty.
3. Cool mix completely then stir in cranberries and dark chocolate chips.

Salty Pecan Snack Mix

Recipe courtesy of Mallory Oniki and the American Pecan Promotion Board
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 15

• 2 cups rice squares cereal
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 cup oyster crackers

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In bowl, add rice squares cereal, oats and unsweetened coconut.
3. In small saucepan over medium heat, add honey, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt. Stir until mixture starts to boil then pour over snack mix and stir until well combined.
4. Transfer to baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.
5. In saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Stir until butter browns then add chopped pecans and oyster crackers. Turn heat to low and stir while pecans roast.
6. Remove snack mix from oven and add brown butter pecan and cracker mixture; stir to combine.