Description
Crisp and sweet, these Toffee Walnuts are a delightful treat perfect for snacking or adding a crunchy topping to salads and desserts. Made with a rich combination of brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter, these glazed walnuts offer a luscious caramelized coating that hardens to a perfect crunch. Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy recipe is ideal for making ahead and enjoying as a tasty snack or elegant garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Walnut Mixture
- 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
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat and set aside for easy removal of the toffee walnuts after cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: 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, ensuring you do not get sugar mixture on the sides of the pan. This helps prevent crystallization.
- Manage Sugar Crystals: If you notice sugar crystals forming on the edges of the pan, use a wet pastry brush to gently dissolve them without scraping, which can cause the entire batch to seize up.
- Cook the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the sugar mixture reaches 295°F (hard crack stage) on the candy thermometer. Be careful to avoid burning the sugar. Once it reaches the correct temperature, remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. If the butter separates, continue stirring until fully incorporated.
- Cool the Walnuts: Quickly spread the coated walnuts 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 and the walnuts are crisp.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for precise sugar temperature to achieve the perfect toffee coating.
- Do not scrape the sides of the pan when stirring to prevent crystallization of sugar.
- Work quickly when spreading nuts on the baking sheet as the mixture hardens fast.
- Store cooled toffee walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- For a flavor twist, add a pinch of sea salt or cinnamon to the sugar mixture before cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: toffee walnuts, candied walnuts, sweet walnut snack, caramelized nuts, easy nut recipes
