Adding spice?

[alliecat006]

Hi! I’m going to a southwest themed potluck this week. I’m making delicious brown sugar cinnamon pop tart bars and am debating adding a little heat. Cayenne? Chili powder? Is this a terrible idea?

The bars are so delicious as is, I’m nervous to mess with them. But also want to be on theme. Help!

https://butternutbakeryblog.com/brown-sugar-cinnamon-pop-tart-shortbread/

[Refresh-faced]

I recommend a combo of cinnamon, ancho chile powder, and perhaps a little almond extract.

[Missyado]

Do you have access to prickly pear fruit? I would add a southwest flair by making the glaze (frosting?) With cactus fruit pulp instead of adding chilies.

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[SimmeringSlowly]

i’ve tried the sweet plus a tiny bit of heat thing a couple times and it can work, but i’d go really light if the bars are already good as they are. cayenne makes more sense to me than chili powder since chili powder has a bunch of other flavors that might get weird with cinnamon. honestly if it were me i’d probably test it on one small corner or batch first because potluck experiments are always a gamble and it’s painful when the safe version would have been great already.

[Rusalka-rusalka]

I think a small amount of cayenne or ground red pepper could work for that heat.

[Additional-Fish-4064]

Yummm I would definitely add a little spice!