Friday, October 26, 2012

Cinnamon Candied Walnuts

Cinnamon Candied Walnuts

A couple of days ago, I declared a sick day for myself. I hadn't slept well and woke up early to a bad headache and the sound of rain pounding on the windows. The room was chilly and I was happy to be tucked under my comforter. The pup was snuggled up against my leg. So I got up, took some aspirin and fed the pup her breakfast. Then I went back to my bed and warm comforter. I turned on the morning news but quickly fell asleep and, when I woke up again, the pup was asleep in the crook of my arm, it was still cold and rainy and now it was nearly 11:00 am. Oh, and I also still had that damn headache.

Cinnamon Candied Walnuts
I checked some emails, posted a few things and saw there was a House, M.D. marathon on TV. Back to bed I went to watch the shows with a cup of tea. But during commercial breaks I did little spurts of this and that including making some lightly candied walnuts for a goat cheese salad I had in mind. While they were cooling, I was snacking on a few and thinking that it would be fun if they had more of an autumn flavor. I started to wonder if they would taste good with cinnamon. It took me a while to realize that this is not a new flavor combination. In fact, many people put walnuts in streusel. Cinnamon goes in streusel. Ergo, cinnamon and walnuts go well together. Then I wondered if this bout of idiocy was caused by my headache (let's just agree that it was).

Cinnamon Candied Walnuts
So I made a second batch of candied walnuts with cinnamon sugar. These are definitely much better for snacking than for salads and maybe even particularly good as cocktail snacks. And since I still used my light recipe, they're a pretty healthy snack at that. So my rainy, chilly, stay in bed and watch TV day was kind of productive after all. Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 cups plain walnuts
2 Tablespoons butter (I used light butter)
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Candied Walnuts
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt the butter in a pan on the stove top and add all but 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture. On low heat, stir the walnuts for a minute until they are fully coated and all the sugar has dissolved. Place the walnuts, in a single layer, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle on the remaining cinnamon sugar and a pinch of salt. Place in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss with a spoon or spatula. Serve warm or allow to cool completely and store in a sealed jar. Makes 4 - 8 servings depending on your appetite.

20 comments:

  1. That logic is just so....logical.

    Now I want this.

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  2. What a great snack! Why have I never thought of this before?!

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  3. I love anything cinnamon, and add it to many things. I ahve made savory spiced walnuts with cinnamon, but never the sweet ones. Have to try these!

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  4. I'm making these for a salad that I will serve to guests next week. But, I will also have to do some pecans since one of the ladies is allergic to walnuts. Thanks.

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  5. I took a sick/mental health day two weeks ago. It felt great to sleep and snuggle with the pug all day. I only wish I had some of these nuts to snack on. It would have made everything better!

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  6. YUM! I love cinnamon sugar nuts - They make the house smell great too! Thanks for the recipe!

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  7. Ugh...I hope you feel better! I would have stayed parked in my bed all day, but here you gave us this fantastic recipe! Yummy and healthy...mmmmm.

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  8. Yes please! I love candied nuts!

    I hope you're feeling better.

    And last week, I took a sick day. I went out to lunch with my wife. Best sick day ever.

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  9. Sounds like you're feeling better now. I used to power through days like that, only to end up truly sick a few days later. I'll bet these cinnamony treats were perfect with your cup of tea!

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  10. one of our favorite ways to eat nuts.. love this same one with pecans and almonds as well! nice one

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  11. I love walnuts and pecans. This seems like such an easy and quick way to get a quick snack. I am sorry you had a headache, but glad your pup was there for you!

    Thank you for linking up to Foodie Friends Friday! You always bring such wonderful recipes!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.blogspot.com

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  12. We have a bounty of walnuts from our tree this year. This would be a wonderful way to use some of them. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

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  13. I'm constantly craving a crunchy snack and these would be perfect! But they'd be absolutely lovely on salads at this time of year too. Thanks for posting :)

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  14. Your walnuts sound delicious! Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  15. Wow, I can't help drooling. I just love the Cinnamon Candied Walnuts
    Well done!
    If you submitted your Cinnamon Candied Walnuts photos to http://www.foodporn.net , I'll bet they will make you on the home page.
    Gosh, you have made me sooo hungry !

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  16. I can imagine that candied walnuts taste great.. I should try it one day :)

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  17. What a simple recipe that I know would be absolutely delicious! I think this would be perfect to have around for guests in December. Although I would be hard pressed not to eat them all myself once they come out of the oven. The smell of these are irresistible. Yum, yum!

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  18. Awesome recipe! Simple and just the right hint of sweet without being overpowering. Yum!

    http://amyfindsthejoy.blogspot.com/2013/11/ten-pounds-of-walnuts.html

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  19. Delicious recipe thank you for sharing..

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  20. This looks so yummy, it is pretty, and is an easy recipe for all of us who aren't great in the kitchen ;o) I am planning to feature this recipe in the holiday issue of our online Christian women's magazine, Ruby for Women, and will link directly back here to your blog. Thanks so much for posting this recipe! Nina @ Ruby for Women

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