Indulge in the delightful simplicity of homemade treats with these irresistibly easy crockpot sugared walnuts! This recipe transforms ordinary walnuts into a sweet, spiced, and utterly addictive snack or elegant edible gift with minimal effort. The slow cooker works its magic, ensuring each walnut half is perfectly coated in a crisp, sugary glaze, infused with warm notes of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
The Allure of Candied Walnuts: Perfect for Gifting & Snacking
As the holiday season draws near, the quest for thoughtful, homemade gifts begins. What could be more heartwarming than a jar of exquisitely crafted candied walnuts? These slow cooker gems are not only a joy to make but also incredibly versatile. Imagine them beautifully presented in elegant glass jars tied with festive ribbons, ready to delight friends, family, or even colleagues.
Beyond their charm as a gift, these sugared walnuts are a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire. Sprinkle them generously over fresh green salads for an irresistible crunch and a hint of sweet spice that elevates any dish. They make a sophisticated topping for yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, or even ice cream. Of course, they’re also absolutely perfect on their own as a satisfying and energizing snack, ideal for curbing sweet cravings or enjoying during a cozy evening.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its hands-off approach. The slow cooker simplifies the process, making it accessible even for novice cooks. Forget the constant stirring and watchful eye required for stovetop methods; your crockpot handles the hard work, leaving you free to enjoy the festive season.
Essential Ingredients for Your Crock Pot Candied Walnuts
Crafting these delectable walnuts requires just a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry:
- Walnut Halves: The star of the show! Opt for good quality halves for the best presentation and texture.
- Butter: Helps create that rich, smooth coating and facilitates even seasoning.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Crucial for the delicate, crisp glaze that defines candied nuts. Its fine texture dissolves smoothly.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds classic warmth and aromatic depth, a staple in many sweet spice blends.
- Ground Cloves: Provides a rich, pungent, and slightly sweet flavor that complements cinnamon beautifully.
- Ground Ginger: Contributes a gentle heat and bright, zesty undertone, balancing the sweetness.
For best results, we highly recommend using a modern crockpot with a digital timer. These smart appliances often feature an automatic “keep warm” function that activates after the cooking time is complete. This ensures your walnuts cook perfectly without the risk of overcooking if you step away, providing peace of mind and consistent results.
Expert Tips for Flawless Slow Cooker Candied Walnuts
Achieving perfectly coated, crisp, and flavorful candied walnuts is easy with these simple tips:
- Walnut Quantity: A helpful conversion to remember is that 1 pound of walnuts typically equates to approximately 3 ¾ cups of walnuts. This can vary slightly based on the size of the halves.
- Prevent Sticking: It’s crucial to stir the walnuts periodically while they are cooking in the slow cooker. This prevents them from clumping together and ensures that each piece receives an even coating of the sugary glaze. Don’t skip this step for individually coated nuts.
- Cooling for Crispness: For the best texture, spread the cooked walnuts in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet immediately after removing them from the slow cooker. This allows air to circulate around each walnut, promoting quick and even cooling, which is essential for developing that desirable crisp glaze.
- Flavor Variations: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your spice blend! A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a dash of cayenne pepper for a sweet and spicy kick can elevate these walnuts further. You could also add a touch of vanilla extract to the melted butter for an extra layer of flavor.
- Storage: Once completely cooled, store your candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a month.
The Rich History and Global Significance of Walnuts
Walnuts boast a fascinating and extensive history, interwoven with nearly every ancient civilization across the globe. Archaeological findings, including numerous fossils and preserved walnuts, suggest their origins trace back to ancient Persia. From these early roots, walnuts became a valuable commodity, traded extensively and eventually spreading across Europe, Africa, and Asia, firmly establishing themselves as an important food source.
Throughout history, walnuts held significant cultural and symbolic meaning. The ancient Romans, for instance, believed walnuts were a food exclusively enjoyed by the gods, bestowing a sense of divinity upon those who consumed them. In Persia, walnuts were considered a delicacy fit only for royalty, symbolizing status and privilege. This rich heritage underscores the enduring appeal and perceived value of these versatile nuts.
Exploring the Diverse World of Walnuts
While often seen as a singular entity, the world of walnuts is surprisingly diverse, offering distinct flavors, textures, and culinary applications. Understanding the different types can enhance your appreciation for this ancient superfood.
English Walnuts
The most widely recognized and consumed variety, English walnuts earned their name from the English traders who facilitated their global distribution. Brought to America by Spanish missionaries in the early 1880s, they flourished in Central California, which now accounts for a significant portion of American English walnut production. Renowned for their thin, easily crackable shells, English walnuts offer a soft, buttery meat due to their high-fat content. They present a sweet, mild flavor with a slightly bitter skin, making them a popular choice for baking, snacking, and cooking.
Black Walnuts
Distinguished by their dark, thick, and notoriously hard black shells, these walnuts are native to the Western parts of America. Cracking a black walnut often requires considerable effort, frequently involving tools like hammers or pliers. The nuts’ oil can also stain hands and clothing, a characteristic that hints at their robust nature. To ease shelling, the nuts are sometimes soaked in water overnight. Unlike their English counterparts, it’s rare to extract the black walnut meat in a single piece due to its intricate shell shape. Black walnuts are celebrated for their intensely strong, earthy flavor, which can be overpowering on its own. Consequently, they are more commonly used as an ingredient in other dishes, such as rich candy recipes, robust baked goods, and even ice cream, where their distinctive flavor can truly shine.
White Walnuts (Butternuts)
Also known as butternuts, white walnuts are closely related to black walnuts and grow in similar regions. While the trees are common, the nuts themselves are not widely sold for direct consumption. Historically, the extract from white walnuts was prized by early American settlers for dyeing clothing. The nuts feature an oval-shaped shell and derive their name from the pale, buttery-colored seeds within. The meat of the white walnut is edible, offering a rich and distinct flavor that many find pleasantly satisfying.
Heartnut Walnuts
Originating from Asia, Heartnut walnuts are unique for their heart-shaped shells and their tendency to grow in clusters, sometimes with thirty or more nuts hanging together. Their shells are notably thin, making them exceptionally easy to crack and often allowing the full kernel to be removed intact. These walnuts are celebrated for their pronounced crunch and a subtly spicy, almost peppery flavor profile, distinguishing them from other, milder varieties.
Arizona Walnuts
Found primarily in Arizona and extending down into Mexico, the Arizona walnut is another edible variety. These walnuts can be enjoyed raw but are frequently incorporated into cooking. Similar to black walnuts, the Arizona variety produces an oil that can stain hands and clothing, a testament to its robust characteristics and rich oil content.
The Abundant Health Benefits of Walnuts
Regardless of their type, walnuts are universally recognized as a powerhouse of nutrition and an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Incorporating walnuts daily offers a myriad of health benefits:
- Protein Rich: Walnuts are a fantastic plant-based source of protein, essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall bodily functions.
- Vitamin B & Folic Acid: They are packed with B vitamins, including folic acid (folate), which are vital for energy production, brain health, and the formation of red blood cells.
- Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E helps protect cells from damage and supports immune function.
- Healthy Fats: Walnuts are exceptionally high in polyunsaturated fats, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3s are crucial for heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting cognitive function.
Enjoying a handful of walnuts each day is a simple yet effective way to boost your nutritional intake and support your overall well-being.
If you’re inspired to explore more delightful DIY homemade holiday gifts, be sure to check out some of our other favorite slow cooker recipes:
- Crock Pot Sweet and Spicy Nuts
- Gingerbread Granola
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Pecans
- Crock Pot Chocolate Clusters
We also offer a wide array of easy vegetarian crockpot meals. For more culinary inspiration, explore our extensive collection of copycat recipes, tempting dessert recipes, and an abundance of Crock Pot Recipes.
Slow Cooker Crock Pot Sugared Candied Walnuts Recipe
Delicious Slow Cooker Crock Pot Sugared Candied Walnuts are a great gift, perfect for snacking or holiday entertaining.
Print Recipe
- Prep Time:
- 20 minutes
- Cook Time:
- 3 hours
- Total Time:
- 3 hours 20 minutes
- Servings:
- 8
- Calories:
- 503 kcal
- Author:
- Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 lb Walnut Halves
- ½ cup Butter, melted
- ½ cup Confectioners Powdered Sugar
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ Teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Turn on crock pot to high for 15 minutes while assembling ingredients.
- Add nuts and butter to the crock pot and stir well.
- Add powdered sugar and mix until walnuts are evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes.
- Turn heat down to low and cook uncovered for 2-3 hours, until nuts are coated with a crisp glaze. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Carefully transfer walnuts to a serving bowl or spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.
- Combine Cinnamon, Cloves and Ginger in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the cooling nuts.
- Stir gently to make sure walnuts are coated evenly with the spice mixture.
- Cool completely before serving for optimal crispness.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition Facts
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Recipe originally shared on October 29, 2017. Updated on May 15, 2020.