Glazed Sweet Caramel Walnuts

Glazed sweet caramel walnuts are a delicious snack or dessert topping made by coating walnuts with a sweet caramel glaze.

To make glazed sweet caramel walnuts, whole or chopped walnuts are first toasted in the oven to bring out their nutty flavor. A mixture of sugar, butter, and water is then heated in a saucepan until it begins to boil and thicken. The toasted walnuts are added to the mixture and stirred until they are fully coated in the caramel glaze. The mixture is then spread out on a baking sheet and allowed to cool and harden.

Glazed sweet caramel walnuts can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or used as a topping for desserts like ice cream, cakes, or pies. They add a sweet and crunchy texture to any dish and are especially popular during the holiday season. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.

SERVINGS: 4

PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup raw walnut halves
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted and is a golden brown color.
3. Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the butter, heavy cream, and salt until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the walnuts to the saucepan and stir until they are evenly coated with the caramel mixture.
5. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely.
6. Once cooled, break apart any clumps and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL TIPS:

• For a sweeter and crunchier texture, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the caramel mixture just before removing from heat.
• Feel free to use any type of nut in place of the walnuts, such as almonds or pecans.
• For a spicier flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ground ginger to the caramel mixture.