- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups candied nuts
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups raw walnut halves
- 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
- Toast the walnuts: Preheat oven to 350°F. Use middle rack in oven. Lay walnuts out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 5 minutes, until slightly darker in color and fragrant. If not quite toasted enough, toast for 1 or 2 more minutes. Be careful not to burn. Remove from oven and let cool in pan on a rack.
- Get everything ready: You'll need to work quickly once the caramelized sugar is ready, so be sure to have everything prepped and ready to go. Place the cooled walnuts in a bowl near the stove. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper and place near the stove. Have two forks ready.
- Caramelize the sugar: Pour sugar into a medium saucepan with a thick bottom and place over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon as the sugar begins to melt. Keep stirring until all the sugar has melted and the color is a medium amber, 5 to 10 minutes (exact timing will depend on your stovetop).
- Coat the walnuts in caramelized sugar: As soon as sugar has melted and the color is a medium amber, add the walnuts to the pan. Stir quickly and make sure each piece is coated with the sugar mixture.
- As soon as the walnuts are coated with the sugar mixture, spread them out on the rimmed baking sheet. Use two forks to separate the walnuts from each other, working very quickly. Sprinkle the nuts with the salt.
- Cool and store: Let the walnuts cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to a week.
Candied Walnuts on Simply Recipes