Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts

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When the holidays roll around, there’s something truly magical about the scent of warm sugar, toasted nuts, and a hint of spice wafting through the kitchen. These Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts are exactly that kind of magic in snack form. They’re crispy, crunchy, sweet, and buttery — with just enough spice to keep things exciting. Perfect for gifting, grazing, or even tossing on salads for a gourmet twist.

Whether you’re entertaining or simply need a sweet bite to accompany your coffee, these candied walnuts are irresistibly good and surprisingly easy to make. The toffee coating clings to every curve of the walnut, making each bite a mix of caramel-like crunch and nutty depth. No holiday season (or cozy weekend) should go without a batch of these ready to go.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts Recipe

They’re everything a holiday treat should be — quick to whip up, festive, and loaded with flavor. The toffee glaze creates a golden, crunchy shell that perfectly contrasts with the tender bite of toasted walnuts. Best of all, they store beautifully and make charming edible gifts when packed into jars or bags with ribbon.

If you’ve ever bought those pricey gourmet candied nuts from a shop, you’ll love how much better (and more affordable) these taste fresh from your oven.

Can I Use Other Nuts for This Recipe?

Absolutely. While walnuts lend themselves beautifully to this recipe thanks to their natural richness and ridged texture, you can swap in pecans, cashews, or almonds. Just make sure you adjust the baking time slightly depending on the size of the nut. Pecans, in particular, are another holiday classic with this toffee glaze.

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Ingredients for the Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts

These ingredients come together to create that perfect balance of sweetness, warmth, and crunch. Each plays a specific role — from coating and caramelizing to adding spice and fragrance.

• Walnut halves
  Their naturally earthy, buttery flavor pairs beautifully with the sweet toffee glaze.
• Granulated sugar
  Essential for forming the glossy, crunchy shell that defines candied nuts.
• Unsalted butter
  Helps create the rich toffee flavor while coating the nuts evenly.
• Vanilla extract
  Adds warmth and a hint of aroma that deepens the flavor of the candy coating.
• Ground cinnamon
  A cozy note that elevates these into the holiday snack category.
• Salt
  Just a pinch makes the sweetness pop and balances everything out.
• Water
  A little moisture helps the sugar dissolve and blend into that magical toffee coating.

How To Make the Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This step ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking once the nuts cool.

Step 2: Make the Toffee Mixture

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, and salt. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to boil and the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 3: Coat the Walnuts

Add the walnut halves to the bubbling toffee mixture. Stir well to coat every piece evenly. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until the nuts look glossy and most of the moisture has evaporated.

Step 4: Spread and Cool

Quickly transfer the coated nuts to your lined baking sheet. Spread them out with a spatula so they don’t clump. Let them cool completely at room temperature — they’ll crisp up as they sit.

Step 5: Break Apart and Store

Once cool and hardened, break apart any clusters. Transfer to an airtight container and enjoy whenever the craving strikes.

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How to Serve and Store These Festive Candied Walnuts

These festive toffee candied walnuts make the ultimate snack bowl filler during the holidays or any celebration. You can serve them as a sweet snack, offer them on a charcuterie board, or package them into jars with ribbons for adorable homemade gifts. This recipe yields about 3 cups and serves 6 to 8 people as a small snack portion.

To store, place the cooled nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed bag and thaw as needed.

What to Serve With Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts?

Hot Apple Cider

The cozy cinnamon notes of these nuts pair wonderfully with a mug of warm, spiced cider.

Holiday Cheese Board

Add a handful of these to a cheese board — they play perfectly with creamy brie, sharp cheddar, or blue cheese.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Crumble over a bowl of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert with texture and crunch.

Green Salads

Toss a few into a spinach or arugula salad with dried cranberries and goat cheese.

Baked Brie

Use them as a topping for baked brie wrapped in puff pastry for an ultra-festive appetizer.

Yogurt Parfaits

Layer into breakfast parfaits for a little holiday crunch with your morning spoonful.

Chocolate Bark

Mix them into melted chocolate and chill for a delicious homemade bark.

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Want More Dessert Snack Ideas?

If these Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts got you in the mood for more creative snacking, here are a few more recipes to explore on Janet Dishes:

• Peanut Butter Smores Sandwich Cookies if you’re after gooey, melty joy in every bite.
• Lemon Truffles Recipe for a bright, citrusy contrast to this nutty treat.
• Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies to keep that caramel nutty theme going strong.
• Baby Lemon Impossible Pies for a cute and creamy twist.
• Classic French Butter Cookies if you’re ready to bake with rich, simple elegance.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday treats board so you can come back to it when the sweet craving calls!

Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you swap in pecans? Add extra cinnamon? Try a little cayenne for spice?

I love seeing your twists on these recipes — questions and baking stories are always welcome. Let’s keep the kitchen conversation going!

Explore beautifully curated seasonal recipes and gifting ideas on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and find your next favorite sweet delight.

Conclusion

These Festive Toffee Candied Walnuts bring everything we love about the holidays into a handful of delicious bites — toasty, sweet, spiced, and endlessly snackable. Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or simply treating yourself, this recipe adds that special sparkle to any occasion. Keep a batch handy and watch them disappear faster than the last cookie on the plate.

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