Introduction: 5 Minute Vanilla Cinnamon Candied Walnuts

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About: Hello! My name is Klara and I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area in sunny California. I love all things crafty and creative: baking, papercrafts, sewing, and most of all making gifts for other people. I love cr…

These candied walnuts only require 5 minutes of hands on prep and are guaranteed to make your house smell *amazing*. They are perfect for topping salads with, gifting, or even just snacking! Once you have one, you won't stop ;)

With COVID-19 we'll probably not be able to attend any winter festivals. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy those heavenly nuts! After many delicious tests, I have finally perfected my recipe.

Enjoy:

Step 1: Ingredients and Supplies

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. walnut halves
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon water

Supplies:

  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Whisk
  • Parchment paper lined baking sheet

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

First preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then put all of your brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt into your large bowl. Mix well.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients

Put your egg white and water into your small bowl and whisk until it is frothy.

Add your vanilla and whisk again until it has an even brown color (like coffee foam).

Step 4: Coat Walnuts

Pour your walnuts into the small bowl with the foamy egg white and mix until evenly coated in the mixture.

Transfer your walnuts into the large bowl with your dry ingredients. Mix until the sugar turns syrupy and all of the walnuts are evenly covered.

Spread your walnuts out on your parchment paper lined baking sheet. Try to make sure the walnuts aren't touching each other.

You might have extra syrup in the bowl when you're done, that's okay. The walnuts don't need that much syrup, as long as they are all coated evenly. You can save any extra, if you have it, for making French toast with.

Step 5: Bake and ENJOY!

Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Halfway through the bake time, stir up the nuts and put them back into a single layer.

When the coating on the nuts is mostly hard (they will harden more as they cool) and your house smells like heaven ;), take them out and place the tray on a wire to cool. After a minute of cooling on the tray, put the parchment paper directly on the wire rack. You'll hear the nuts making these cool tiny popping noises.

Enjoy them hot or at room temperature, they are delicious either way! Store any leftovers (although I doubt there will be any) in an airtight container for at least a week.