Candied Walnuts {Easy Recipe} - Miss in the Kitchen (2024)

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ByMilisa

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Candied Walnuts are so easy to make with just a few ingredients. An addictive snack and perfect to top an ice cream sundae. This is a version of my mom’s secret recipe and a favorite to add to holiday gift baskets!

Walnuts are delicious but toasted walnuts are even better. This simple candied walnuts recipe adds a second step that toasts the walnuts with the brown sugar coating and they are the most delicious candied nut that I’ve ever tried!

Candied Walnuts {Easy Recipe} - Miss in the Kitchen (1)

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Candied Walnuts

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  • Brown Sugar
  • Butter
  • Water
  • Kosher Salt
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Walnut Halves

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How to Make Candied Walnuts

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  1. Add brown sugar, butter, water and salt to a pan and stir with a wooden spoon until combined.

Candied Walnuts {Easy Recipe} - Miss in the Kitchen (4)2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and boil about 1 minute.

3.Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

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4. Quickly mix in walnuts until well coated using a silicone spatula.

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5. Pour onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. A silpat is a silicone baking mat that is perfect for everything from baking cookies to frozen pizzas.

  • Bake for 20 minutes.

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6. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

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7. Break apart and serve immediately.

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How to Store Candied Nuts

Candied nuts will last about a week at room temperature in an airtight container (these are my favorite deli containers for storing everything). Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.

Nuts are best served at room temperature.

Recipe Variations for Candied Nuts

  • Pecans can be substituted for walnuts.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the brown sugar mixture.
  • A pinch of red pepper can also go in with the brown sugar mixture for a sweet and spicy candied nut.

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Serve candied nuts as an appetizer along with our Spicy Chex Mix for holiday gatherings and it’s also a great addition to a desserts table.

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I make holiday goodie baskets for family and neighbors every Christmas and these Candied Walnuts are going to be the favorite this year. I found these super cute jars with lids from Amazon and they are perfect for making a homemade treat something special.

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Delicious Walnut Treats

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Two Tone Fudge

Layers of butterscotch and chocolate fudge loaded with crunchy walnuts. This is a holiday favorite from my mother in law's recipe box.

Candied Walnuts {Easy Recipe} - Miss in the Kitchen (14)

Easy Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Simple chocolate chip cookies loaded with crunchy walnuts. An easy treat for any day of the week and delicious enough for a holidays and celebrations.

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Walnut Brownies

Rich, fudge brownies filled with toasted walnuts and caramel chips for a decadent and delicious dessert.

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Walnut Cinnamon Twists

All the flavors of a cinnamon roll in a light and fluffy bread twist with crunchy walnuts and a sweet drizzle of icing.

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Add candied walnuts to your favorite cookies, to top ice cream, or just as a tasty snack but they are also a delicious addition to salads.Once you see how easy and delicious these candied nuts are, you will be making them again and again.

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPEAS MUCH AS I DO, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ANDA FIVE STAR REVIEW, AND BE SURE TO HELP ME SHARE ON PINTEREST!

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Print Recipe

Candied Walnuts

Candied Walnuts are so easy to make with just a few ingredients. An addictive snack and perfect to top an ice cream sundae. This is a version of my mom's secret recipe and a favorite to add to holiday gift baskets!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown sugar walnuts, candied nuts, homemade gift, walnut candy, walnut recipes

Servings: 5 cups

Calories: 399kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cups brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 cups walnut halves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°.

  • Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.

  • Add brown sugar, water, butter and salt to a pan and place over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until all combined.

  • Bring to a boil and cook for about 1 minute.

  • Remove from heat, quickly stir in vanilla and walnuts. Mixing until well combined.

  • Pour onto lined baking sheet and spread into a single layer.

  • Bake for 20 minutes.

  • Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Break apart and store in an airtight container.

Notes

Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Best served at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 225mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g

Candied Walnuts {Easy Recipe} - Miss in the Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Let the candied nuts cool for at least 20 minutes or until completely cool. You don't want to package warm nuts or the moisture will cause condensation which will soften the candy coating.

Do candied walnuts go bad? ›

Yes, candied nuts can go bad. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month for best results.

What can I do with too many walnuts? ›

10 Simple Ways to Use Walnuts
  1. Plus-Up Cereal or Oatmeal. ...
  2. Make a DIY Trail Mix. ...
  3. Pair with Fruit, Cheese, and Crackers. ...
  4. Swap-in on Salads. ...
  5. Add to Sandwiches and Wraps. ...
  6. Make-Ahead Walnut Pesto. ...
  7. Just Eat a Handful Plain. ...
  8. Top Your Pizza, Pasta, or Roasted Veggies.
Sep 15, 2022

Why are my candied pecans so sticky? ›

The pecans only take a few minutes to cook. If you walk away or don't stir constantly they could burn. The nuts will be sticky at first before they cool. If the glazed pecans remain sticky after cooling, transfer the baking sheet to a 325ºF oven for 5-15 minutes, or until they harden.

How long to soak walnuts to make them soft? ›

Experts agree that to reap the benefits, one should soak the walnuts for about 6-7 hours or overnight. And on an average, a healthy individual can have 3-4 soaked pieces of walnuts.

How do you soften walnuts quickly? ›

So, if you forget or don't have the patience to wait 8 hours while the walnuts soak (I certainly don't), I suggest boiling them! This will soften them really quickly (only about 15-20 minutes, as opposed to 8+ hours of soaking) so they blend well and you end up with a silky smooth and creamy walnut milk.

What happens if I eat 2 walnuts everyday? ›

Eating walnuts on a daily basis poses little to no harm unless you have a food sensitivity, intolerance or allergy. With that said, replacing less nutrient-dense foods with nutrient-dense options, like walnuts, may help you achieve your health goals. Who knows, you may experience a boost in your mood, too.

What happens if you eat 3 walnuts a day? ›

Eating a handful of walnuts every day can lower your bad cholesterol level, known as LDL or low-density lipoprotein. In addition to providing your body with the nutritional benefits it needs, walnuts are linked to a reduction in inflammation.

What happens when you eat 5 walnuts a day? ›

Eating walnuts every day reduces your blood pressure and blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and apolipoprotein B, protecting your heart. Walnuts also contain fiber, which is good for digestive health and prevents colon cancer.

Why are my candied nuts grainy? ›

Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing. Avoid stirring it before it changes its color.

How long do homemade candied nuts last? ›

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last? Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you give them as a gift, be sure to include storage instructions.

What is the white fuzz on my pecans? ›

Powdery Mildew (caused by the fungus Microsphaera alni)

It occurs on foliage and nuts alike and appears as a superficial powdery white growth (Figure 4). Early-infected nuts may remain small and have an early shuck split and shriveled kernels. In some other states, it sometimes causes defoliation.

Are walnuts supposed to be soft? ›

Touch the walnuts. Freshly shelled walnuts should be firm to the touch and should not feel moist. Soft and moist walnuts should be discarded.

Should walnuts be soft? ›

As a general guideline: Firm and Solid: Fresh walnuts in the shell should feel firm and solid. When you press on the shell with your fingers, there should be minimal give or softness. No Rattling: When you shake a walnut in the shell, you should not hear any rattling.

How do you harden soft nuts? ›

How it works: Place the nuts in cold, dry skillet over medium heat and toast them, tossing frequently, until browned in spots and fragrant. Then immediately transfer the nuts to a plate or bowl.

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