Holiday Candied Walnut Recipe

Introduction

These holiday candied walnuts are a sweet and spicy treat perfect for festive gatherings or as a crunchy snack. Coated with warm spices and baked to a crisp, they add a delightful touch to salads, desserts, or cheese boards.

Ingredients

• 3 cups walnut halves or pieces
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy.
4. Step 4: Add water and vanilla extract to the frothy egg white, whisking until well combined.
5. Step 5: Add the walnuts to the egg white mixture and toss to coat the nuts evenly.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over the walnuts and stir until all the nuts are well coated.
7. Step 7: Spread the coated walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven when the walnuts are golden brown and fragrant.
10. Step 10: Allow the candied walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet; they will crisp up as they cool.
11. Step 11: Once cooled, break apart any clusters and store in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle spicy kick.
• Substitute pecans or almonds if you prefer a different nut.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Ensure the egg white is well beaten for even coating and crispiness.

Storage

Store candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If they soften over time, re-crisp them by warming briefly in a low oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use raw nuts or roasted nuts for this recipe?

Raw walnuts work best as they absorb the coating evenly before baking. Using pre-roasted nuts can cause uneven toasting or burning.

Is it possible to make these nut-free?

You can substitute seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts for a nut-free version, following the same coating and baking steps.

Holiday Candied Walnut Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 75 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: About 3 cups (serves 6–8 as a snack or garnish) 1x

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Description

Holiday candied walnuts are a delightful and festive treat featuring walnut halves coated in a fragrant blend of warm spices and sweetened with a mixture of granulated and brown sugar. Baked to a crisp golden finish, these candied walnuts offer a perfect balance of crunchy texture and rich, spicy sweetness—ideal for holiday snacking, garnishing salads, or adding to desserts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Walnuts

• 3 cups walnut halves or pieces

Sugar and Spices Mixture

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Binding and Flavoring

• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare the sugar and spice mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Whisk them together thoroughly and set aside.
3. Whisk the egg white: In a large separate bowl, whisk the egg white until it becomes frothy; this will help the sugar-spice mixture adhere to the walnuts.
4. Add water and vanilla: Mix the water and vanilla extract into the frothy egg white and whisk until fully blended, creating a smooth coating base.
5. Coat the walnuts: Add the walnuts to the egg white mixture and toss them well to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
6. Apply the sugar-spice mixture: Sprinkle the prepared sugar and spice blend over the coated walnuts, stirring thoroughly so that the nuts are covered evenly with the sweet and spiced mixture.
7. Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the coated walnuts in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet to ensure even baking.
8. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Stir the walnuts once about halfway through baking to promote even toasting and prevent burning. Keep a close watch towards the end to avoid overcooking.
9. Cool: Remove the walnuts when they turn golden brown and emit a fragrant aroma. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet, allowing them to crisp up as they cool.
10. Store the walnuts: Once cool, break apart any clusters gently and transfer the candied walnuts into an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Make sure to stir the walnuts halfway through baking to prevent uneven scorching and promote uniform crispness.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
• Allow the candied walnuts to cool completely before storing; warm nuts can become soggy when stored.
• These walnuts make a great garnish for salads, desserts, or a savory cheese board.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: candied walnuts, holiday nuts, spiced nuts, baked walnuts, festive snack, walnut recipe, sweet nuts