From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I make it a point to keep a supply of candied walnuts and pecans in the pantry. I use them often enough to warrant making them in quantity and that, coincidentally, allows me to avoid the expense of the commercial variety that I favor. We don't eat these out of hand, but I do use them in salads and to top certain of the desserts we enjoy. Years ago, Bob and I fell in love with a French salad of watercress and endive that is lightly dressed with vinaigrette and tossed with candied walnuts. We have the salad at least once a week and I've convinced myself that it is not an extravagance as long as I make the nuts myself. My stash allows me to overlook the outrageous cost of Belgian endive and watercress. Foolish I know, but we all have grand deceptions we visit upon ourselves. This happens to be one of mine. I have several recipes for candied nuts and the one I'm sharing tonight is the one my family most enjoys. Regular readers know that I have a great deal of faith in the test kitchens of some commercial ventures. I've had exceptionally good luck with the recipes that come from the Diamond Walnut test kitchen. Let me immediately interject that mine is an unsolicited and unpaid observation. I am in no way affiliated with these people and am merely sharing personal observations and experience. If you have a need for candied nut meats and are comfortable using a candy thermometer, I think you'll love this recipe. The nuts can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks. Here's how they are made.
Candied Walnuts...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Diamond Walnut test kitchen
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups walnut halves or large pieces
Directions:
Boil sugar, salt, honey and water together, stirring often to 242 degrees F on a candy thermometer (firm, soft ball stage). Remove from heat and add vanilla and walnuts. Stir until creamy. Turn out on waxed paper; separate walnuts, using two forks.
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Candied Walnuts - 400 Calories or Less
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Candied Walnuts - Delicieux
Walnut Brittle with Orange Zest and Sea Salt - Eat Real
Maple-Rosemary Glazed Walnuts - Pinch My Salt
Maple Syrup Candied Walnuts - The Family Kitchen
These look good and I have a large packet of walnuts at the moment, I am just wondering how I would go without a thermometer as I dont have one.
ReplyDeleteGosh, we have had nuts that are roasted and seasoned with certain coatings, but I don't think I've ever heard of candied nuts!
ReplyDeleteI'm allergic to walnuts but I can see using this recipe to make other types of candied nuts.
ReplyDeleteAren't candied nuts amazing? They can add so much to a simple salad or dessert. I think you need to let yourself indulge in things like Belgian Endive and watercress...even though special salads and dishes can be expensive, good food is always worth it. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteLooks so crunchy and perfect, never tried using walnut this way, yum..
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat these would be. I have a friend who always has these in her signature salad - so I've never wanted to ask for the recipe. Now I have one!
ReplyDeletethese looks so good, great snack for me, yum yum!
ReplyDeleteNow, this is something I couldn't resist! haha... How I wish I have a cup of these infront of me right now! Then I can start chewing on them. ^_^ Hope you're enjoying your day, Mary.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Kristy
I love candied nuts on salads but I usually use pecans- I'll have to try these walnuts instead!
ReplyDeletelove to have walnuts this way, sounds very delicious..
ReplyDeleteDo I need to roast the nuts in prior?
ReplyDeleteThey sound delicious but I would have thought that they would have gone soft. Obviously I am wrong. Diane
ReplyDeletefirst time to your space.. love your recipes... lots of interesting stuff to try.. candied walnuts look great.. never knew that making candied nuts is easy as this..
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with candied walnuts when I was in Istanbul--they had infused them in a spice syrup and served them over ice cream. Simply amazing. I'll be recreating it using your recipe--thank you, Mary!
ReplyDeleteCandied walnuts are a tradition in Serbia, and are made on the Christmas Eve and served with all the died fruits figs, prunes, raisins....It is a reminder of what the ancestors ate for sweets when fruits could not be stored in winter.
ReplyDeleteLooks super creamy and yumm!
ReplyDeleteI love candied nuts of all kinds--they are so great to have around for snacking and little gifts.
ReplyDelete;-)
This looks wonderful. My hubby would really love this as a snack. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love walnuts; and candied walnuts would be even more moorish. Do you know I've actually eaten some in a salad with bitter leaves and thinly sliced beetroot and pear? It was delicious!
ReplyDeleteLove candied nuts... great for movie nights.
ReplyDeleteCandied walnuts... delish. I really like them in salads.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day. Michael
Be still my heart! These look amazing.
ReplyDeleteCandied walnuts always make a salad special Mary. I will take your advice and always have them on hand.
ReplyDeleteI love candied walnuts on salad; they provide the perfect crunch!
ReplyDeleteI love candied nuts on salad, I'll have to try these!
ReplyDeleteI like these candied walnuts! They are delicious just to nibble on, but they are perfect in salads and in deserts! Plus I tried one with granola and it was perfect!
ReplyDeleteI keep a stash of candied nuts in my freezer as well as some rosemary walnuts that are great on salads -- much healthier than croutons and give a nice crunch!
ReplyDeleteA sprinkle of candied walnuts would make a simple green salad very special. Thanks for the recipe, Mary.
ReplyDeleteLove candied walnuts as a snack and in salads. Yours look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't those be nice to have on hand and they seem easy enough to make. Thanks for sending along this recipe.
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm always amazed at how much you sound like me at times (though I'm quite sure you're taller and don't speak with your hands as much) I LOVE and frequently use candied nuts in salads and am way too cheap to pay the price in the market. I am already horrified at the cost of the nuts! Lovely post!
ReplyDeletexoxo Pattie
Mary, what a wonderfully simple recipe! It's so much more cost effective to make your own--and they taste better!
ReplyDeleteI love candied walnuts on my salad...mixed with some dried cranberries.. it's like heaven!
ReplyDeleteI think you just single-handed,y stopped my buying candied walnuts habit! I do love them on salads. And what's with the price of endive, anyway?
ReplyDeleteWe love candied nuts at our house. I have some good recipes for them on my blog. You might want to look at them. Thanks.
ReplyDeletethese look so addictive! I could eat a whole handful at one sitting!
ReplyDeleteI love candied nuts in my oatmeal. Never made them myself - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDelicious on salads and topping desserts. They are also good for a quick pick-me-up (at least that's what I tell myself) by the handful.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
These walnuts are one of my favorite salad toppings. They look terrific.
ReplyDeleteI love candied walnuts in a salad with pears and honey mustard vinegarette!
ReplyDeleteI'll add these to my list. I'd eat them straigt up on their own.
I love candied nuts in salads but have never made them at home. Thanks to your great recipe I will try my hand at it and I'm sure my family will be more than happy :o)
ReplyDeleteThey sound great - I'm thinking these might be nice treats for people at Christmas time!
ReplyDeleteI am making these this week. I have a ton of walnuts and I think this is the perfect snack food. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteThose sound yummy! Hope you are enjoying your day...Peggy
ReplyDeletesince food is the only thing I really ever splurge on, I've decided it's totally fine for me to spend a little excess on quality ingredients here and there. I think my next splurge is going to be on some walnuts so that I can make these! They seem lusciously addictive.
ReplyDeleteIf I made these they wouldn't last long...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed catching up on your recent posts - the pork shoulder is my very favorite. The cholate zucchini cake is a must try also as are these walnuts!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make this for my family :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, these are such a tasty addition to salads. I could also eat them by the handful, lol! They look delicious, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you have the salad once a week...the walnuts look delicious! I don't know if I could stop myself from eating these plain!
ReplyDeleteOoohhh! Now, I have a treat to make for my fellow teachers!!! They're gonna love me.....thank you!
ReplyDeleteDelightful. They sound absolutely delightful. Ill be trying these shortly. Walnuts are my moms favorite.. bet she'd love them like this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I am used to buying these in the store, but it's definitely something I would love to try for myself.
ReplyDeleteWell, they look yummy as!!! Mary, you certainly look to me as an independent blogger who writes what she believes in :-), no hidden agendas!
ReplyDeleteciao
Alessandra
These nuts looks gorgeous - I used roasted nuts a lot in salads, but never thought of using candied ones - I HAVE to try these. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSue :-)
Thanks for this great recipe. I always baked the walnuts but this is a good option.
ReplyDeleteAnd also great for those salad with some pears or apples.
Mely
I must ask u b4 i say anything , do u use diamond nuts too and how are they? In ur opinion are they the best?
ReplyDeleteI ask coz i want to [almost have]ordered for diamond nuts:-) and ur valuable opinion wud surely help me greatly!!
And this recipe of nuts , is simply perfect , honestly a perfect bite, would love to try this soonnnn...
hugs and wonderful week!
I love candied walnuts. They are excellent in salads. My favorite is spring greens with sliced pears, gorgonzola cheese in a simply vinaigrette. The crunch of the walnuts is perfect. I like your honey version a lot... I'll have to adapt that to my recipe. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI simply love this. Have tasted something like this in one restaurant in KL, just so yummy! It's very addictive though!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried walnuts this way... Very nice.
ReplyDeleteI love candied nuts! They can be expensive. This would make a great topping for cakes, cookies, and pies. Maybe I can replace the walnut with pecans or other nuts! Thank for sharing.
ReplyDelete