Maple Glazed Peanuts

Honestly, you had us with those three words: maple-glazed peanuts. We could stop right there, but like these addictive and delicious morsels of maple-glazed goodness, we just can't.

If you happened to have read Pappyland: A story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last, you would know there is a deep and long-running love for peanuts as a snack in our house. Growing up, it was a known thing that our dad's preferred method of relaxing during the stressful years of getting our family's distillery back up and running was a bowl of Virginia grown Hub's Peanuts alongside his evening bourbon. It was a treat when we were allowed to share a handful with him, and to this day, if there are Hub's Peanuts around...well they aren't because they don't last long.

While it isn't necessary to jazz up the humble peanut (as they are pretty darn perfect on their own), we wanted to give them a touch of sophisticated flavor. We had a feeling you wouldn't be able to beat the sweet and salty combination of peanuts and the naturally complementary earthy and nutty flavor of the remnants of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and the rich undertones of caramel, vanilla and sweetly charred oak in our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup.

To add extra layers of flavor and texture in our current favorite Spicy Maple Shrimp Bowls, we tried a spicy version of these maple glazed peanuts and we were not disappointed. Using our Spicy Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, the subtle heat gives the glaze a bite that is perfect for salads and dishes that could use a dash of sweet heat.

A powerhouse in both nutrition and flavor, peanuts are dense and solid. This makes them a great option for stir-fries and glazes, as they hold up well under heat and can absorb the added flavor. Savory and crunchy, they are equally delicious on their own as they are as a salad or bowl topper. Of course, the maple-glazed peanut will make a knock-out bar snack for yourself or a crowd.

In case you need another reason to give these sweet, savory, and crunchy bites of bliss a try - the flavor combinations are endless. Using our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup - consider rolling them in cinnamon or sugar for that added burst of sweetness. Do you really want to amp up the spice? Try a dash of chili pepper. Or maybe you just really love that deeply salty combination and want to give yours a dash of sea salt for an extra layer of flavor.

Just don't expect them to last long. Consider yourself warned.