Glazed Embernuts

Glazed Embernuts are a toasted, sweet-spiced Dwarven treat, often eaten warm during long tunnel watches or shared around forge-fires during festivals like Ashmonth Eve. These glossy, crackling snacks are made from the Embernut — a hard-shelled, mildly spicy nut that grows in the ash-rich soil near subterranean lava vents or geothermal zones.

They’re known for their rich, smoky crunch, followed by a slow-building heat and glossy glaze that sticks pleasantly to the fingers.

“Too sweet to stop, too hot to handle.”
— Common Dwarven Saying about Embernuts, and occasionally lovers

Manufacturing process

Instructions

  1. Toast the Nuts
  2. Preheat a heavy skillet or forgepan over medium heat.
  3. Add mushroom oil and toss in the embernuts. Roast for 5–7 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly darkened.
  4. Prepare the Glaze
  5. In a separate small pot, combine honey, ash-sugar, emberpepper, salt, and cinnamon.
  6. Heat gently, stirring until bubbling and sticky (about 2–3 minutes).
  7. Glaze and Cook
  8. Pour the glaze over the roasted nuts in the pan. Stir quickly to coat evenly.
  9. Continue stirring over low heat until the glaze thickens and clings, forming a shiny shell on each nut.
  10. Cool and Crackle
  11. Spread nuts on a flat stone slab or parchment-lined tray. Let cool until crisp.
  12. Break apart any clusters and store in sealed clay jars.
“Some forge this world with hammers. Me? I use sugar and spice.”
— Gord Rammson, after winning a cook-off with these nuts

Significance

Cultural Notes

  • Often handed out by Chef-Priests to children during Emberfest.
  • Considered a symbol of resilience and warmth — something small that carries heat and sweetness into even the darkest corners.
  • Guildmasters have been known to toss a pouch of glazed embernuts onto the table as a bribe or peace offering.

Item type
Consumable, Food / Drink
Raw materials & Components

Ingredients (Yields ~2 cups)

  • 2 cups raw Embernuts (or substitute: roasted chestnuts + cayenne)
  • 2 tbsp stone honey or caramelized root syrup
  • 1 tbsp ash-sugar (or brown sugar mixed with a pinch of wood ash)
  • 1 tsp emberpepper or smoked chili powder
  • ¼ tsp rock salt
  • ½ tsp forged cinnamon (a warm, spicy bark used in Dwarven baking)
  • Optional: Pinch of ground glowcap rind for a faint luminescence
  • 1 tsp mushroom oil or neutral fat for roasting

Variants

  • Glazed Embernut Clusters: Press warm nuts into small clusters and cool into chewy-crunchy nuggets.
  • Firetrail Mix: Combine with dried tunnelberries and spiced shroom crisps for a trail-ready snack.
  • Winterforge Edition: Add a splash of deep mushroom wine to the glaze and a sprinkle of powdered rootbark for festive occasions.



Cover image: by Appy Pie

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