Spiced Walnuts Recipe: A Festive Delight for the Holidays ๐
These Spiced Walnuts are a delightful treat that brings a touch of Christmas cheer to any gathering. Inspired by cherished family traditions, this recipe creates a crunchy, sweet, and aromatic snack that’s perfect for the holiday season. With a prep time of just 5 minutes and a cook time of 15 minutes, you’ll have these delicious walnuts ready in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups walnut pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prepare the Mixture: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and milk. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a very soft ball stage, which should take about 10 minutes. To test this stage, drop a small amount of the mixture into a glass of cold water; it should form a soft, pliable ball when rolled between your fingers.
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Add Walnuts and Vanilla: Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the walnut pieces and vanilla extract. Ensure the walnuts are evenly coated with the spiced mixture.
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Thicken and Coat: Return the pan to low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and coats the walnuts evenly. This step should take about 5 minutes.
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Cool and Separate: Carefully turn the mixture out onto a sheet of waxed paper. Allow it to cool for a few minutes until it’s safe to handle. Once slightly cooled, use a fork or your hands to separate the walnuts so they don’t clump together.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooled and separated, transfer the spiced walnuts to a serving bowl or airtight container. They are ready to be enjoyed as a festive snack or a sweet addition to holiday gift baskets.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 435
- Fat Content: 34.3g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Cholesterol: 1.4mg
- Sodium: 6.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 30.2g
- Fiber: 3.6g
- Sugar: 23.6g
- Protein: 8.3g
This recipe yields approximately 9 servings, making it a great option for sharing with friends and family or for enjoying as a solo treat.
Tips: To ensure the perfect texture, keep an eye on the boiling stage of the sugar mixture. If the mixture is cooked too long, it might become too hard once cooled. Conversely, if not cooked enough, it may not coat the walnuts properly.
Enjoy these spiced walnuts as a festive snack or a delightful gift this holiday season! ๐
