Once you start, you can't stop! You can't eat just one! Crunchy, sweet, salty and amazingly toasty with gingerbread cookie tea infused. This straightforward Paleo friendly Gingerbread Cookie Candied Walnuts recipe is the perfect on-the-go snack, holiday gift, or even serve them with a charcuterie board or as a salad topper!
This easy candied nuts recipe can be made on the stovetop or baked in the oven.
Before I started making these nuts for snacks, I would not be able to finish my bag of walnuts. When it comes to creating healthy and delicious recipes, we adore nuts. A handful of nuts is a guilt-free snack to curb your hunger!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALNUTS
- Eating walnuts improve brain health and prevent heart disease and cancer.
- Low in carbs, Fibre-rich and Healthy fats.
- Excellent source of vitamins and minerals: copper, folic acid, phosphorus, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Manganese, etc.
- Antioxidants
I love the crunchy texture, and they are a great salad topper! Homemade candied walnuts, pecans, cashews (or your favourite nuts) are much healthier without additives.
HOW TO MAKE TEA LEAF POWDER
To add a gingerbread cookie tea as a flavouring, I infused Gingerbread Cookie tea leaves into the sugar caramel coating.
First, grind the whole tea leaves in a coffee grinder with a spice grinder accessory kit until finely powdered. One tablespoon should do the trick without overpowering the walnuts!
How To Make Candied Walnuts: Oven-Baked Method
There are several ways to candy nuts. I used the oven-baked method for ease and to prevent burning the walnuts.
In a large bowl, mix the nuts and Canadian Maple Syrup and pure vanilla extract. Then sprinkle the grounded Gingerbread Cookie tea leaves evenly over the walnuts. Ensure that you mix well and that all the maple syrup and tea leaf powder get in all the cracks and crevices.
Don't forget to dust the walnuts with cinnamon and sea salt.
I prefer to use Amber Maple Syrup for a richer caramelly flavour and dark colour tone.
Pre-heat the oven to 325F.
Spread the walnuts over a parchment-lined cookie sheet and toast them for approximately 10 minutes until they are lightly crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before eating to avoid burning!
Pro Tip:
Golden / Light Maple Syrup is produced early during maple sugaring season, and flavours are sweet and delicate.
Amber / Dark Maple Syrup is produced late during maple sugaring season, and flavours are rich and robust.
How To Make Candied Walnuts: Stove Top Method
Alternatively, you can also toast the walnuts lightly in some butter in a large skillet to bring out their natural flavours!
Then add in some brown sugar and tea leaf powder, continually stirring until it is melted and caramelized.
Spread them over a parchment-lined cookie sheet and toast them just a few minutes until they are lightly crispy.
Whether you choose to candy the walnuts with the oven-baked method or on the stovetop, the walnuts taste delicious glazed with a coat of caramel and gingerbread cookie flavour. They are simply irresistible, and often we can not stop eating them!
How To Store Candied Nuts
Store the candied nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To extend the shelf life by refrigerating the nuts in an airtight container up to 3 weeks.
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PrintGINGERBREAD COOKIE CANDIED WALNUTS
Once you start, you can’t stop! You can’t eat just one! Crunch, sweet, salty and amazingly toasty with gingerbread cookie tea infused. This straightforward Gingerbread Cookie Candied Walnuts recipe is the perfect on the go snack, holiday gift, or even serve them with a charcuterie board or as a salad topper!
This easy candied nuts recipe can be made on the stovetop or baked in the oven.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: appetizer, snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian, Pacific Northwest
Ingredients
- 2 C walnuts
- ½ C Canadian maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Gingerbread Cookie tea leaves, finely powdered
- dash of sea salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 325F.
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Grind the Gingerbread Cookie tea leaves in a coffee grinder with a spice grinder accessory kit until finely powdered.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix walnuts and maple syrup and pure vanilla extract until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle powdered Gingerbread Cookie tea leaves evenly over walnuts.
- Dust the walnuts with evenly cinnamon and sea salt. Mix well.
- Spread the coated walnuts on the large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the pre-heated over for 10 minutes or until golden brown or lightly crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to avoid burning!
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
Caution: Do not eat the candied walnuts straight out of the oven. It is VERY HOT and cause severe burning!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 40.5 mg
- Fat: 38.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.7 g
- Protein: 8.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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Jere says
I love walnut so I am glad to find your recipe. I want to make these as gifts for Christmas.
Nancy says
great plant based protein to really satisfy you!
Bernice says
oh, yes. I've made these before and they are so addictive! Thanks for reminding me of them, I have some edible Christmas gifts to make and these will be just perfect to give.
Nancy says
homemade Christmas gifts are always so heartwarming!!
Jean says
I got excited when you mentioned all the flavors, I cant wait to get my hand in the kitchen and make this recipe. Looking forward to enjoying them.
Nancy says
Can't wait to see what you think!
Rob says
This is exactly how I enjoy my nuts! And your explanation of maple syrup based on the season is so helpful!
Nancy says
Happy Snacking!
serena says
I've never tried gingerbread cookie tea! But I definitely want some now. I'm totally addicted to candied walnuts and can't wait to try this.
Nancy says
candied walnuts are awesome for snacking and super brain food!
Terri says
What a unique, fun, delicious and healthy snack. Perfect for winter!
Nancy says
Absolutely! perfect snacks for anytime!
Sean says
What a wonderfully creative recipe! I love candied nuts in general, but you've put such a unique spin on the idea here. I've cooked with tea many times in the past, but I've never thought of powdering it and using it directly like a spice. I'm imagining all kinds of ideas now!
Nancy says
i can't wait to see what you whip up!
Julia Pinney says
I love having nuts as snacks but never think to do anything extra special with them. I love this idea and am gong to try them out soon. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy says
I love nuts for snacks too! sometimes it gets super boring on its own! Can't wait to see what you think of it!
Vijitha says
What a fun way to have walnuts! I have never had candied walnuts infused with tea. We always have a stash of nuts to snack on and this would be a great addition!
Nancy says
Thanks Vijtha! I love the addition of a little sweet sometimes when i'm just craving a hit 🙂
Amy Gatto says
These look absolutely amazing and a great idea for cake, muffin toppers or a snack mix. Can't wait to try.
Nancy says
oh yes Amy!! WHAT a great idea to include it in cakes or muffins!!
Sharon says
Oooooohhh that gingerbread tea! How amazing does that sound in this recipe?! I've been hunting for more walnut recipes as I found that almonds are too hard on my teeth. Can't wait to get my hands on that tea and give these a try.
Nancy says
I agree. Almonds are not the friendlist for snacking on. I like walnuts too cuz its softer!
Bernice Hill says
oh yum, these sound like a delicious snack. I recently made something similar to top our mashed sweet potatoes and everyone loved the extra crunch. I love the addition of tea leaves in yours. Cooking with tea always fascinates me.
Nancy says
cooking with tea is so fun! there's so many variations with it!
Vanessa Gilic says
Candied walnuts are so addictive! Love this fun twist on them.
Nancy says
Thanks so much Vanessa!! it was so fun eating them! haha