Maple Glazed Candied Walnuts

"Liv... give these walnuts a try.  They're glazed with maple syrup and brown sugar and I really think you'll like them!"

"No.  I don't like walnuts."

"Seriously, I think you will like these."

"Seriously.  No.  I don't like walnuts."

"OK, fine.  I've got to finish this laundry then I'm going to finish my photo shoot of them.  You can play with the camera if you want."

"Oh!  Ok.  I'll see if I can get a good shot."

So went our conversation this morning as my girl spent a few much needed hours perhaps missing school and spending the morning home with me.  The house smelled fabulous as the glazed nuts cooled with aromas of maple and brown sugar wafting through the kitchen.

Off I went to swap the laundry and fold a quick load upstairs, and I left Liv in the kitchen to play with the camera.  She's become quite good at photography, and often gets a nice shot or two for me to use.

Some 20 minutes later I returned to the kitchen to find her sitting at the kitchen table playing on her phone and.... finishing off the last of the glazed nuts.

"Seriously??  You don't like nuts?"

"Seriously.  I like these nuts.  They're crunchy.  And sugary.  And mapley.  They're totally awesome!  Can we make more??"

"More??  I have a whole batch here."

"Ummm... sorry.  Not anymore.  I might have eaten them all...."

Yup... she ate the entire batch.  And she doesn't like walnuts.  It was all I could do not to say, "I told you so!".

Instead we reached for the pan and started again.  She did most of the work this time and now has one more recipe under her belt that she can whip out at a moment's notice.  Maple Glazed Candied Walnuts... this recipe should be in everyone's repertoire.

Photo Credit ~ Liv

Maple Glazed Candied Walnuts
Sugary and crunchy, these nuts are the perfect addition to a salad, or mashed sweet potatoes.  They'd be fabulous on top of your morning oatmeal, and they are pure perfection simply out of hand.  
Wrapped in a cute jar or gift bag, these glazed nuts also make a wonderful homemade hostess or teacher gift during the holidays!
You just might want to double your batch...

1 cup walnut halves
3 Tbs pure maple syrup (we used grade B)
2 Tbs brown sugar

Place syrup and sugar into a skillet over medium heat and add the walnuts.  Stir to coat.

Stirring often, cook until the nuts are toasted and the sugars caramelized, 3-5 minutes depending on how hot your pan is.  As the syrup and sugar begins to become a bit dry, the nuts are just about done.  Watch very closely as they can go from just perfect to burnt in a flash.  Remove just as the nuts are beginning to brown.

Liv Life Note:  I actually liked my nuts a little crisper and more browned... I'm that person who likes the slightly burnt toast though.  We found the perfect time to remove is when they just barely begin to turn brown.  Enjoy!!