Vanilla Bean Candied Walnuts
Posted: 01/30/2013
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These vanilla bean candied walnuts are completely and totally irresistible. They’re perfect on salads!
These walnuts need to come with a huge warning label:
ADDICTING.
SEVERELY ADDICTING.
DON’T LEAVE OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT.
WARNING: IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT JUST ONE.
Seriously. Vanilla and walnuts are made for each other. Match made in food heaven.
These are amazing on salads, would be great on ice cream or frozen yogurt (duh) and obviously are perfect on their own. By the handful. These are hide-in-the-back-of-the-cupboard addicting.
Long story short, you need these in your life. I guess the story wasn’t really that long. I’m running on about 3 hours of sleep as I write this, people. Don’t expect genius. I’ll be happy if there are no typos. Actually, I’ll be happy if the two-year-old stays asleep and I stay awake long enough to finish typing this.
With only 3 ingredients, these delectable walnuts are simple to make. Plus, walnuts are good for you because they are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
These vanilla bean candied walnuts are perfect on salads like this winter salad with clementine dressing. You know, if you have any left after eating them by the handful! And if you throw them on a salad, maybe you’ll feel better about the massive quantities you are consuming. Right? Right? Okay maybe. Maybe not.
They’d also make a great appetizer. I’m envisioning a group of friends playing cards, with a few bowls of candied walnuts on the table. Or put some on your charcuterie board for a special treat with cheeses and fruits.
Or….if you’re willing to share, these vanilla bean candied walnuts would make a great gift (and so would the other nut recipes listed below). Just put them in a jar and tie a pretty ribbon around the top! A great hostess or teacher gift.
More great nut recipes:
If you’re looking for more recipes like these vanilla bean candied walnuts, be sure to try:
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
1/2 cups walnuts
These vanilla bean candied walnuts are so delicious it is hard to stop eating them!
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups raw walnut halves and/or pieces
- the seeds scraped from one whole vanilla bean
Instructions
- Toast walnuts in a dry frying pan over medium heat stirring frequently, about 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. Pour onto plate to cool. Also prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Cook on medium until sugar melts and starts to turn the color of amber. Remove from heat, add walnuts and stir to coat. Work quickly.
- Pour walnuts out onto prepared lined baking sheet and separate walnuts with two forks, working quickly. If you don’t get them all separated, it’s no biggie, you can cut or crack them apart once they cool.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. If you don’t eat them all first.
Notes
- Serving size: 1/4 cup.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1/4 cup, Calories: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Sodium: 1mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 17g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Husband’s take: He calls ’em crack.
Changes I would make: Make more next time.
Difficulty: Moderate if you’re not comfortable with melting sugar. Plus you have to work kinda quickly. But you can do it, I swear!
Marilyne says
I just made this with hazelnuts, it’s perfect! I’m using them chopped to top a hazelnut tiramisu. Yum. Thanks for this easy idea!
Rachel Gurk says
Oh yum, that sounds absolutely incredible!
Rhonda says
Can coconut sugar or another healthier option be substituted for white sugar?
Rachel Gurk says
I haven’t tested them that way, so I can’t say for sure, as it may caramelize and harden at different temperatures. Let me know if you give it a try, though!
Jess says
Totally pinned this for later! YUM!
Emily says
This look incredible. Yogurt topping with some dried fruit? Make it part of trail mix? Mixed in with homemade ice cream? Amazing. Thank you!
Rachel Gurk says
Enjoy! They are soooo yummy.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I could seriously throw that in my face and be done eating it in 10 minutes. omg
Megan {CountryCleaver} says
Ohhh these do look addicting – I can say that with certainty!
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
Ohhh yesssss come to mama! I love putting walnuts on my oatmeal or yogurt… but now I’m thinking about how I could put these on ice cream… lord help me! :)
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
Talk about great on top of my oatmeal!
Rachel Gurk says
Best idea ever!
natalie@thesweetslife says
coincidence that i just received the vanilla beans i ordered off of amazon? i think NOT
Rachel Gurk says
Definitely not!!!