Name: Toffee Walnuts Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups Walnuts; 1/4 cup Brown Sugar; 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar; 2 tablespoons Corn Syrup; 1 tablespoon Water; 2 tablespoons Butter; 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

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Introduction

These Toffee Walnuts deliver a perfect balance of sweet, buttery toffee coating and crunchy walnuts. In just 20 minutes, you can create a delightful snack or garnish that adds a rich, caramelized crunch to any dish.

A close-up view of a clear glass bowl filled with glossy, caramelized walnuts that have a rich dark brown color and a shiny, sticky texture, showing the uneven shapes and rough surface of the nut pieces. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with more of the same walnuts slightly blurred in the background, highlighting the glossy coat and textured details of the nuts. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Walnuts
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 tablespoons Corn Syrup
1 tablespoon Water
2 tablespoons Butter
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Step 1: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat and set it aside.
Step 2: In a medium-small saucepan, attach a candy thermometer. Add the walnuts, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently using an infolding motion, avoiding getting sugar mixture on the sides of the pan, until well combined. Then add the butter.
Step 3: If sugar crystallizes on the edge of the pan, it can cause the mixture to seize. Use a wet pastry brush to dissolve any sugar crystals on the sides. Avoid scraping the sides of the pan while stirring.
Step 4: Cook over medium heat, stirring as needed, until the mixture reaches 295°F (soft crack stage). Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. If the butter separates, keep stirring until the mixture is smooth again.
Step 5: Quickly spread the hot nuts onto the prepared baking sheet. Use two forks to separate the nuts so they don’t clump together. Allow them to cool completely until the toffee hardens.

Tips & Variations

Use a digital candy thermometer for precise temperature control to avoid burning.
Substitute pecans or almonds for walnuts if desired.
Add a pinch of sea salt to the mixture before cooking for a salted toffee walnut twist.
Be sure to work quickly when spreading the nuts, as the toffee hardens fast.

Storage

Store cooled toffee walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Keep them away from moisture to maintain their crispness. To refresh, let them come to room temperature if refrigerated before serving. Avoid microwaving, as this can soften the toffee.

How to Serve

The image shows a single flat layer of shiny, candied walnut pieces spread evenly on a beige baking mat with an orange border placed on a white marbled texture. The walnuts have a rich, glossy, dark brown coating that looks sticky and caramelized, giving them a textured and slightly irregular shape. The pieces vary in size, some larger clusters mixed with smaller bits, all glistening under soft light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use raw or roasted walnuts?

Use raw walnuts for best results, as the toffee coating will provide the necessary roasting and flavor development during cooking.

What if my sugar mixture crystallizes?

If crystallization occurs on the pan sides, gently brush the edges with a wet pastry brush to dissolve crystals. This helps prevent the entire mixture from seizing and ensures a smooth toffee coating.