Red Hots are vibrant, cinnamon-flavored candy pieces that can transform your recipes into something spicy, sweet, and irresistible. While these candies are often enjoyed on their own, they can also be used in a wide variety of baking and cooking recipes. From cakes and cookies to savory dishes like barbecue sauces and glazes, Red Hots offers a unique way to infuse your dishes with a sweet, spicy kick.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using Red Hots in baking and cooking, share creative recipe ideas, and provide tips on how to best incorporate these cinnamon treats into your meals and desserts. By the end, you’ll have a full arsenal of exciting recipes that will make Red Hots a staple in your kitchen.

What Are Red Hots and How Can They Be Used in Cooking?

Red Hots are small, round candies with a fiery cinnamon flavor and a glossy red coating. They are sweet, spicy, and perfect for a variety of uses beyond just snacking. Their unique cinnamon flavor is perfect for balancing sweetness with a hint of heat, making them a versatile ingredient in both baking and cooking.

Using Red Hots in Baking:

In baking, Red Hots can be added to everything from cookies to cakes and even frostings. Their spicy cinnamon flavor adds a unique twist to traditional baked goods, and the candy coating can create an exciting texture. Some of the most popular uses for Red Hots in baking include:

• Cookies: Adding crushed Red Hots to your cookie dough infuses the cookies with a sweet cinnamon flavor that pairs well with vanilla and chocolate-based doughs.
• Cakes: Red Hots can be melted into syrup or crushed and mixed directly into the cake batter to add flavor and color.
• Frosting: You can melt the Red Hots to make a spicy cinnamon frosting that’s perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.

Using Red Hots in Cooking:

In savory dishes, Red Hots can add an unexpected spicy-sweet element. These candies can be melted and used to create unique glazes for meats, stirred into chili for extra flavor, or incorporated into barbecue sauces to balance the tanginess with a little heat.

• Glazes for Meat: Use Red Hots to create a glaze for chicken, pork, or ham. The cinnamon flavor complements the savory meats and adds a spicy-sweet layer of flavor.
• Chili and Stews: Red Hots can be used to add depth to chili recipes, providing a sweet heat that enhances the overall flavor.
• Barbecue Sauces: The spicy cinnamon flavor of Red Hots pairs perfectly with the tangy, smoky flavors in BBQ sauce.

By melting or crushing Red Hots, you can transform them into a variety of syrups, glazes, and toppings that elevate both sweet and savory dishes.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Red Hots in Baking

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore some creative ways to use Red Hots in your baking recipes. These ideas are perfect for adding a burst of cinnamon flavor and a splash of color to your favorite treats.

1. Red Hot Cinnamon Cake

A Red Hot cinnamon cake is the perfect way to highlight the spicy flavor of Red hot. The candies can be melted into the batter or crushed and added directly, giving the cake a rich cinnamon flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of cake mix (or homemade cake batter)
• 1 cup crushed Red Hots
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare your cake mix according to the instructions on the package (or use your recipe).
3. Stir in the crushed Red Hots and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
4. Bake according to the instructions and let cool.
5. For an extra touch, melt some Red Hots and drizzle over the cake as a glaze.

This cake is moist, flavorful, and perfectly captures the spicy-sweet essence of Red Hots.

2. Red Hot Sugar Cookies

Add Red Hots to your sugar cookie dough for a delightful twist on a classic recipe. The candies melt into the cookies during baking, leaving behind little pockets of cinnamon goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup Red Hots, crushed

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until smooth.
4. Fold in the crushed Red Hots.
5. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

These cookies are chewy with a nice balance of sweetness and spicy cinnamon.

3. Red Hot Frosting for Cakes and Cupcakes

Transform a basic buttercream frosting into something exciting by adding melted Red Hots. The cinnamon-flavored frosting will be perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Red Hots
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Melt the Red Hots in a double boiler or microwave until smooth.
2. Mix the melted candies with softened butter.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
4. Spread on cakes or cupcakes.

This frosting adds a rich, cinnamon flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.

4. Red Hot Cinnamon Rolls

Add Red Hots to the filling of your cinnamon rolls for a sweet, spicy surprise in every bite. The melted candies combine with the cinnamon and sugar to create a unique twist on this breakfast favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of cinnamon roll dough
• 1 cup Red Hots, crushed
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll out the cinnamon roll dough and sprinkle the Red Hots, brown sugar, and cinnamon on top.
3. Roll up the dough, slice, and bake according to the instructions on the package.

These Red Hot cinnamon rolls are a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

5. Red Hot Cupcakes

If you love cupcakes, try incorporating Red Hots into the batter and frosting. These cupcakes will have a sweet-spicy flavor that makes them perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of cupcake mix (or your favorite homemade recipe)
• 1 cup Red Hots, crushed
• 1 batch of Red Hot frosting (see previous recipe)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cupcake batter.
2. Fold in the crushed Red Hots to the batter and bake as instructed.
3. Top the cooled cupcakes with Red Hot frosting.

These cupcakes are fun, flavorful, and packed with cinnamon goodness.

Using Red Hots in Savory Dishes

While Red Hots are typically associated with sweets, they can also be used in savory dishes. The sweet cinnamon heat of Red Hots can elevate meats, sauces, and even chili, offering a unique layer of flavor that works surprisingly well with savory ingredients.

1. Red Hot Glaze for Ham or Chicken

A Red Hot glaze adds a spicy-sweet flavor to meats, making it a perfect addition to ham, chicken, or even pork. The cinnamon in the Red Hots pairs beautifully with the savory flavors of roasted meats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Red Hots
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mustard

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, melt the Red Hots with brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3. Brush the glaze over roasted ham or chicken during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

This Red Hot glaze adds an irresistible sweet-spicy layer to your favorite meats.

2. Red Hot Chili

Add a handful of Red Hots to your chili recipe for a spicy-sweet kick. The cinnamon candy dissolves into the broth, adding a subtle depth of flavor that balances the heat from chili spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 cup Red Hots, crushed

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat and sauté the onion in a large pot.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, and chili spices, and stir in the crushed Red Hots.
3. Let the chili simmer for 30-45 minutes, allowing the Red Hots to dissolve into the broth.

This Red Hot chili is a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and hearty.

3. Red Hot BBQ Sauce

Add Red Hots to your BBQ sauce for a spicy twist. The cinnamon flavor pairs well with the tangy, smoky flavors of the sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Red Hots
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, melt the Red Hots with ketchup, vinegar, and sugar over medium heat.
2. Stir until smooth, then simmer for 5-10 minutes.
3. Use the sauce as a glaze for grilling meats or as a dipping sauce.

This Red Hot BBQ sauce is a perfect accompaniment for grilled chicken, ribs, or burgers.

 

FAQs

1. Can I substitute Red Hots in a recipe if I don’t have any?

Yes, if you don’t have Red Hots, you can use ground cinnamon, cinnamon extract, or even cinnamon-flavored gumdrops as alternatives. However, the unique spicy-sweet crunch that Red Hots provides won’t be the same.

2. How do I store Red Hots to keep them fresh?
   Store Red Hots in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing them to humidity or high temperatures, as it can affect their texture and flavor.
3. Can I use Red Hots in both sweet and savory dishes?
   Absolutely! Red Hots are incredibly versatile. Their sweet-spicy flavor makes them great for both baked goods like cookies and cakes, as well as savory dishes like chili, barbecue sauces, and glazes.
4. Do Red Hots melt when baked in recipes?
   Yes, Red Hots will melt when baked, especially in recipes like cookies, cakes, and frostings. The candy coating dissolves, leaving behind the cinnamon flavor.

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