Indulgence is just a few minutes away. Yes, you read that right. With a mere 5-minute investment, you can savor the joy of homemade caramel walnuts. Think of them as a little burst of happiness – chewy, crisp, and tinged with just the right amount of saltiness.
The Magic of Quick Caramel Walnuts
It’s almost comical how simple this recipe is. But, simplicity often leads to perfection. These candied walnuts serve as:
- Midday snack: Perfect for when you crave something different from your routine munchies.
- Elevate your cheese board: Give a sweet and salty twist to your cheese board with these delights.
- Gifts with a personal touch: Hand these out during the holidays, and watch the faces light up.
- Gourmet desserts: They pair perfectly with ice cream, adding texture and taste.
- Dynamic popcorn mix: Introduce a nutty-sweet element to your popcorn bowl.
- Salad sprinkle: A crunchy complement to your fresh veggies.
- Crostini topping: Elevate a simple Persimmon, Goat Cheese, and Walnut Crostini.
The endless creative ways you can use these walnuts are a testament to their addictive nature. Speaking of addictive snacks, try the Spicy Ginger Garlic Pita Chips. Infused with aromatic flavors like fresh ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes, they offer a savory counterpoint to your candied walnut experience.
Why Can’t You Stop at One?
Simply put, they’re irresistible because they are:
- Chewy and crispy: That unique texture where it’s just the right amount of chewy with a satisfying crunch.
- Balanced flavors: They’re salty but not overwhelmingly so and sweet without being cloying.
A delightful review from a reader echoes the same sentiment, “Just made three batches for Christmas gifts. It felt simple, yet the end product tasted as if I’d put in hours of hard work!”
The Secret is Simplicity
Ingredients:
- Walnuts
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Salt
Steps: In a cold non-stick skillet, combine the walnuts, brown sugar, water, butter, and salt. Cook on high heat. The moisture will evaporate, leaving you with deliciously caramelized walnuts. Once done, let them cool on parchment paper with an additional sprinkle of salt.
A Few Pro Tips
- Non-Stick is Non-Negotiable: Ensure you use a non-stick skillet to avoid sticky situations!
- High Heat: Remember, always keep the heat high for the perfect caramelization.
- Stirring: Stir occasionally for the first 5 minutes. As the moisture evaporates, keep stirring constantly to avoid burning.
For those who appreciate the rich flavor of walnuts, do check out the Orange Walnut Cake or the classic Carrot Walnut Cake.
Gift It Right: Packaging is key, especially when gifting. For a festive touch, wrap these caramel walnuts in clear cellophane, finish with a lovely ribbon, and there you have it – a heartfelt homemade holiday gift!
Whether you’re planning to treat yourself or charm someone else, these 5-minute caramel walnuts are a testament to the beauty of quick and easy recipes. Give it a shot, and let the magic unfold.
5 Minute Caramel Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup wholesome walnuts
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp light brown sugar firmly packed (avoid using deep brown varieties)
- ¼ cup pure water
- 1 tbsp creamy unsalted butter
- A dash of salt plus an extra two pinches for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare Your Setting: Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on a flat dinner plate or another heat-resistant surface. This will be your cooling station, so ensure it’s within arm’s reach.
- Mix to Begin: In a medium-sized non-stick frying pan, combine walnuts, light brown sugar, water, butter, and the dash of salt.
- Cooking Process: Turn on the stove and set it to a high flame. As the mixture begins to heat up, stir it now and then for around 5 minutes. By the last minute, shift to a more consistent stir while dialing the heat down to medium. The goal is to witness the transformation of the mixture – from watery to glossy, and the nuts should appear as if they’re dancing together in a caramel embrace.
- Check the Consistency: Before removing from the heat, ensure every drop of liquid has evaporated. The caramelized nuts should have a sticky, luscious texture.
- Cool and Season: Swiftly transfer the caramel-coated walnuts to the prepared parchment paper, ensuring they lay flat in a singular layer. While still hot and sticky, sprinkle the two pinches of salt over them for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
- Break and Store: Once cooled to room temperature, you can break apart the clusters. Pop these delightful treats into a container and store them for several days. However, given their addictive taste, they might just disappear before you know it!
I really want to make this but I am stuck with an electric stove. The instruction about turning down to med heat for the last minute concerns me. Elect takes time ti cooldown.
What if I had a second burner on timed heat & just moved the pan? Do you think that would work? Any suggestions?
P.S. iloveyour recipes