Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts are the BEST holiday snack and perfect for parties. You’ll love how simple this 4-ingredient recipe is to make!
You’ll want to make a double batch once you find out how tasty they are! And they make a great edible gift idea too!
This post was originally published in November of 2014 and has now been updated with better directions so you can make walnuts for Christmas perfectly every time.
Growing up, we always had delicious Christmas sweets around as we got closer to the holiday (like this homemade cinnamon candy!)
My mom made simple things, mostly candied nuts and a big batch of my favorite caramel corn, that were easy to grab and great for last-minute entertaining.
But these absolutely delicious Cinnamon Glazed Walnuts were my favorite quick and easy dessert recipes for the holidays!
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Why This Recipe Works
This cinnamon walnuts recipe couldn’t be easier. And when they are given the recipe (because they will ask for it) they are blown away by just how easy this treat is to make.
With just a few ingredients you get a sweet snack that you can enjoy all season long. Mix everything together right on the stovetop and stir. Easy.
You don’t even need to use a candy thermometer. Bonus!
Anyone who has ever had them raves about how tasty they are. They make a great edible gift idea to share with friends, family and neighbors.
And they are great to have on-hand for any holiday drop ins.
If you are more of an almond fan, be sure to check out my recipe for Candied Almonds too!
Ingredients
Aside from the walnuts, you probably have all of the ingredients at your house already! I prefer whole walnuts if you can find them, but the halves and pieces will work too.
Like any great holiday treat, you need sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. That’s it. And a little bit of water.
This recipe doesn’t call for egg whites. You don’t need them! The texture and flavor are right on. There’s no need to get drooly egg whites all over the place.
How to Make Cinnamon Walnuts
I make this recipe in a non-stick skillet.
Add the sugar, cinnamon and water to the pan over low heat, mixing almost constantly with a wooden spoon on silicone spatula until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reduces a little bit (about 7 minutes).
Stir often so the sugar doesn’t burn. I think most things take on more flavor when they are a little overdone. Not sugar though, man. That just gets nasty.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla. Mix well.
Add the walnuts. Stir well to coat all the nuts.
Spread the walnuts out on a cookie sheet in a single layer so they can dry. I’ve done it on a pan or a pan lined with waxed paper. Either way works.
Tips
- These Cinnamon Candy Walnuts are not glazed or shiny when they are dry. They do not have a hard candy shell.
- When I say the mixture hardens as they dry, I don’t mean these will be break your teeth. I just mean that the sugar mixture won’t be tacky, and will be coated but the walnut won’t be any more crunchy than it is on its own.
- If you are like me and like that sweet and savory combo, sprinkle a little sea salt over the wet nuts on the cookie sheet before they harden too much!
How to Store
Store them in an air-tight container, out of sight, or else you will eat them all. I guarantee. They can be stored at room temperature.
This Cinnamon Glazed Walnuts recipe is one you will love! Make it a new holiday tradition.
I suggest putting out a little bit at a time so they don’t get gobbled up right away.
Go ahead and just print out a few copies of this recipe to have on hand for when you serve these Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts to people. They will ask you for it. SO good.
More Christmas Snack Ideas
- Cinnamon Hard Candy – We skip the red coloring but not the spicy flavor!
- The BEST EVER Caramel Corn Recipe – This is not an exaggeration. It’s SO good!
- Dried Beef Roll Ups – These are the perfect savory appetizer for your holiday party. And no one has probably ever had them before.
- Best Ever Cheese Ball Recipe – Seriously delicious and something that I crave throughout the year.
- Bacon and Cheese Dip – It’s full of so much delicious flavor that you will find yourself not moving away from the serving dish.
- Rose Petal Goat Cheese Log – The rose petals make this sound crazy but the flavor is SO AMAZING! It’s a show stopper.
- Super Easy Sweet and Salty Snack Mix – My friend Tanya has a delicious snack mix that is sure to please your family!
- Candy Cane Christmas Trees – The perfect holiday idea from my friend Cristy!
- Cocktail Meatballs with Bourbon and Jelly – Trisha has the perfect snack idea for a cozy night in.
- Christmas Trail Mix – I’ve never met a trail mix I didn’t like and this one from Brandi looks like just the right mix of holiday flavors.
Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts
Instructions
- Combine sugar, cinnamon and water in a non-stick skillet.
- Cook on low heat, stirring almost constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, until sugar dissolves and cooks down a bit (about 7 minutes total).
- Remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and mix well.
- Add walnuts and stir to coat.
- Spread out on a greased cookie sheet to dry.
- Eat up.
Notes
- These are not glazed or shiny when they are dry. They do not have a hard candy shell.
- When I say the mixture hardens as they dry, I don’t mean these will be break your teeth. I just mean that the sugar mixture won’t be tacky, and will be coated but the walnut won’t be any more crunchy than it is on its own.
- If you are like me and like that sweet and savory combo, sprinkle a little sea salt over the wet nuts on the cookie sheet before they harden too much!
- Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
- If you can’t find whole walnuts, you can use halves.
Lili says
I’ve been looking for this recipe for years. We made it when I was a teen, and I had it on a recipe card, which I subsequently lost. I’m with you: who needs egg whites. I’m making it today to add to my charcuterie tray for my Saturday card game. Thanks so much.
Sharon Garofalow says
I’m so glad you found it! I can’t make them often because I eat ALL of them myself. :)