Recipe: Vanilla Cashew Clusters

I am not lying when I tell you I was genuinely sad when I poured out the last cashew cluster from the tall jar I was storing them in. These nuts have a way of working their sweetness into your heart, so it’s truly a travesty when they’re finished. You might want to make two batches to prolong this. The crunchy clusters are extra fragrant due to the healthy dose of vanilla, and just a touch spicy thanks to the cinnamon. Eat them out of hand whenever the desire for a snack hits, be it at your desk or when you’re out and about on an adventure. Then sprinkle the rest on your morning yogurt or even finish off a bowl of ice cream with a handful.

What I love about these cashew clusters is that they are adaptable. They are, first and foremost, a crowd-pleasing snack. They can be tossed into a bag to take on everything from a road trip or long flight, to a hike or a day at the beach. If none of those fun adventures are in the cards, they also taste pretty great eaten in front of your computer or when you’re sprawled on the couch.

Beyond snack territory, though, you’ll forget all about granola when you’ve replaced it with a big handful of the clusters. Or reward yourself at the end of the night with a bowl of your favorite ice cream (I suggest vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or strawberry) that’s topped with a healthy sprinkling of clusters. Consumed this way, you’ll definitely finish off a batch in next to no time.