Maple Cinnamon Walnuts (Printable version)
Sweet maple-glazed walnuts with warm cinnamon, ready in just 20 minutes for snacking or gifting.
# What you need:
→ Nuts
01 - 2 cups walnut halves
→ Sweetener & Flavor
02 - 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
# How To:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup, ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, and vanilla extract if using. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
03 - Add the walnut halves to the bowl and toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the maple-cinnamon mixture.
04 - Spread the coated walnuts in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
05 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the walnuts are glossy and release a warm, fragrant aroma.
06 - Remove from the oven and allow the walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet. The maple glaze will harden and set as they cool.
07 - Transfer the cooled walnuts to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Five ingredients and one bowl is all it takes to create something that tastes like it came from a specialty shop.
- The maple glaze hardens into a satisfying crunch that makes these impossible to stop eating.
02 -
- Do not skip the parchment paper because maple syrup bakes hard and will bond to an unlined pan like cement.
- Stirring halfway through is the difference between evenly glazed walnuts and burnt edges with raw centers.
03 -
- Set a timer for the halfway stir because it is shockingly easy to forget and burnt maple syrup is unforgiving.
- Taste one walnut right after it cools to check the salt level before you commit the whole batch to a gift jar.