Easy Candied and Spiced Christmas Walnuts Recipe

These are the best candied walnuts you can make! Christmas walnuts take all of the flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar and create a delicious caramelized butter sauce. Add them to a mason jar for a great gift you can deliver to friends and family during the holiday season.

You Have to Make This Christmas Walnuts Recipe

• Homemade candied walnuts are an easy recipe to make for snacking during Christmas time or any time of the year.
• Taste and smell just like spiced nut carts in the mall or at the amusement park!
• The perfect salad topping or topping for ice cream!
• A great addition to a cheese plate or charcuterie board.
• Brown sugar candied walnuts are great consumable Christmas gifts - just like our mini banana breads! Great teacher gift!
• Simple ingredients you probably already have on hand!
• A sweet snack that is so good!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

• Whole raw walnuts can be found in the nut section or your grocery store. I prefer whole walnuts over chopped walnuts or walnut halves as pre-chopped walnuts tend to burn faster. Use another type of nut like pecans if desired.
• Unsalted butter helps to coat the walnuts and balances out the sweet flavor.
• Light brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or white sugar all work to sweeten the Christmas walnuts.
• Vanilla extract adds a delicious warm flavor.
• Cinnamon creates a delicious spiced element for these roasted walnuts. Different spices like pumpkin pie spice or a bit of cayenne pepper add different flavor elements.

How to Make This Easy Candied Walnuts Recipe

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet or dutch oven. Line a cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
2. Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and use a wooden spoon to stir until the sugar dissolves, caramelizes, and is golden brown.
3. Lower to low heat. Add the walnuts and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the heat and don't let the walnuts burn.
4. Remove the pan from heat and spread the candied walnuts in a single layer on the parchment paper. Sprinkle with sea salt and allow the walnuts to cool and harden before storing.

Expert Tips

• Follow the full recipe for Christmas walnuts as written in the recipe card for the best results.
• To make a double batch of this candied walnut recipe, double the ingredients and ensure you use a large enough skillet to accommodate all of the walnuts.

Recipe FAQs