Brown sugar cinnamon candied walnuts make the perfect salty sweet snack or salad topper, and best of all this recipe takes just 5 minutes on the stove top. These toasted, caramelized walnuts are a delicious nutty treat!
Candied walnuts make a great gift for the holidays or a sweet and crunchy element for a charcuterie board. Try them with syrup and whipped cream on Homemade Belgian Liege Waffles {Waffle Love Copycat} or Crispy Brioche French Toast. Toss some into the batter for Perfect Chai-Spiced Banana Bread or grab a handful for an anytime snack.
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Ingredients for Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts
The ingredient list for brown sugar candied walnuts is short and sweet.
- Walnuts
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Candied Walnuts
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. In a medium saucepan heat brown sugar and butter.
Once the butter and sugar have melted and are bubbling (about 2 minutes), add walnuts and cinnamon.
Stir mixture until walnuts are well coated. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture darkens slightly and smells nutty, 3-4 minutes.
Stir in vanilla and pour nut mixture out onto prepared baking sheet with parchment or foil. Separate the nuts into small clusters and sprinkle with salt. Allow to cool for 30 minutes.
Hint: Be sure to watch the nut and caramel mixture carefully while on the stove. Stir often so it doesn't burn and take off heat as soon as the nuts are toasted and mixture darkens slightly.
Substitutions
This recipe is just the starting point for any combination of nuts and spices you can imagine.
- Walnuts - Substitute pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts.
- Cinnamon - Try Homemade Chai Spice Mix or pumpkin pie spice.
- Brown sugar - White sugar, maple syrup, or honey will also work.
Variations
- Spicy - Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Savory - Omit cinnamon and substitute curry powder for Indian-spiced nuts.
Storage
Let the nuts cool completely and store in an airtight container. They should stay crunchy for at least a week depending on your humidity. If stored in the fridge they should last up to 4 weeks.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with brown sugar cinnamon candied walnuts:
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Candied Walnuts
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Over medium heat in a skillet heat butter and brown sugar until bubbling, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in walnuts and cinnamon. Continue cooking until walnuts are toasted and mixture darkens slightly and smells nutty, 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in vanilla and remove from heat. Pour nut mixture onto prepared baking sheet, separating into individual nuts or small chunks of nut pieces.
- Sprinkle with salt and allow to cool 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
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