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Irresistible Maple-Candied Walnuts Recipe Perfect for Salads

maple-candied walnuts - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for sweet, crunchy, and nutty maple-candied walnuts that are perfect for salads, snacks, or gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups walnuts (whole or halved)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Gather all your ingredients and tools.
  2. Place your non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the butter, allowing it to melt completely. Swirl the pan gently to coat the bottom evenly.
  3. Add the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to the skillet. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined and the mixture begins to bubble (about 2 minutes).
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the walnuts to the skillet. Stir continuously to ensure the nuts are evenly coated with the syrup mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the syrup thickens and begins to adhere to the walnuts.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be careful—it may sizzle and release a delightful aroma.
  6. Transfer the candied walnuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading them out evenly to cool. Make sure they’re not clumped together so they can harden individually.
  7. Let the walnuts cool completely. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

[‘Don’t walk away while cooking; stir frequently to prevent burning.’, ‘Adjust the heat if the mixture starts to smoke.’, ‘Use fresh nuts for the best flavor and texture.’, ‘Let the walnuts cool completely to ensure the coating hardens properly.’, ‘Experiment with spices like cayenne or nutmeg for variations.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: maple-candied walnuts, candied walnuts, snack, salad topping, holiday treat, homemade gift