Day 104. In the last few days spring has definitely sprung around here. It's been in the mid-70s and the flowers are in full bloom.
So are my allergies, but that's another story...
Being out in the warm air, going for nice long runs, and gardening make me want to eat salad all day long. The kids really like salad, and enjoy picking out their own toppings. We usually keep everything separate and create a mini-salad bar on the kitchen counter.
Their favorite topping? Candied walnuts.
Guess what? Candied nuts are terribly easy and very inexpensive to make in the crockpot. You can make them in bulk and freeze in little bags to defrost at your convenience for salad toppings, trail mix, or to munch on right out of the bag.
The Ingredients. 
--2 T butter (I use salted)
--2 cups walnut halves
--1/4 cup brown sugar
The Directions.
Plop everything into your crockpot and cook on high for an hour. After an hour, mix the nuts with a wooden spoon all around the yummy gooeyness.
Spread out a length of Release foil or parchment paper onto the counter, or a few cookie sheets. Dump the nuts out onto the foil or paper, and spread around with your wooden spoon.
The nuts will be hot. Keep little fingers away for at least 15 minutes.
When cool, the nuts will crisp up and are ready to be used.
The Verdict.
Delicious. I saved a handful and made the brie again, using walnuts this time. The walnuts gave a really nice woody flavor to the brie. Yum!
The kids adored these, and munched on them all evening.
April 13, 2008 at 6:47 AM
what size crock pot did you use for this one??
April 13, 2008 at 7:18 AM
Hi Jennfurr---I used my large oval 6qt. I should have specified, sorry!
It would have worked in the mini, though. You're essentially just melting everything together. :-)
-steph
April 13, 2008 at 7:20 AM
Yummy!!! I love sweet and crunchy nuts :-)
April 13, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Thanks! I've been leery ever since I made overnight oatmeal in my 5qt and the recipe was for a 3qt. It came out a burned mess because of the change in surface area.
April 13, 2008 at 8:45 AM
This recipe looks great. I often have candied walnuts on my salad, but hate buying them (they are so expensive!). I'll definitely be giving this a try!
April 13, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Just found your blog--I love it! OK if I link?
April 13, 2008 at 10:25 AM
This looks so good!!! You are a genius.
Amanda
April 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I made these to go in holiday goodies. However mine was a little different, and like a jerk I dont have the exact recipe :)
My recipe used powdered sugar.
After cooking in the crock, I put them in a bowl and tossed them w. a spice mixture. I dont have the measurments anymore, but I know it had cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ground ginger, and cardamom. It seems very spicy, but there was so much sugar it wasnt bad at all.
Also I used pecans btw. Freaking awesome. It was everyones favorite thing in their goodie basket.
April 13, 2008 at 6:46 PM
anon, they sound wonderful! They'd be my favorite thing too. Thank you for sharing the "recipe!"
--steph
April 13, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Yummm, I'm loving this one! This sounds so much easier that on the stovetop or in an oven. I'm definitely trying this one.
April 13, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Speaking of allergies, wal-nuts are the one food I am allergic to. *weeps*
April 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Oh my goodness, what a fantastic idea!!!!!!!!! I LOVE candied nuts, though I usually use pecans or almonds. I would never have thought of using the crockpot. I'll be trying this one as soon as I get off the computer.
Love your blog too!
April 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I'm going to make these for a crock pot party I'm going to tomorrow. Thanks for the cool recipe.
April 15, 2008 at 3:54 PM
I like how you include a verdict with your recipes. I think it's important for people to know how you and your family reacted to the food. Good recipes btw.
April 15, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Made these for a crockpot party last night (used them as a salad topper) and everyone loved them! I'm glad I made a double batch because I've been enjoying snacking on them all day today.
April 17, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I made these earlier this week and made an absolute pig of myself! DH and most of my co-workers enjoyed them too.
April 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Yum! This is the first recipe of yours that I've tried, although I've printed off a bunch and come here often! They were so good, and super easy! Thanks!
July 28, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I just made these (with pecans) and darn it if they don't all fit in my air-tight container (even though I already ate about 2 handfuls. Drat. I guess I just have to eat more.
September 19, 2011 at 12:37 PM