Sugared Walnuts

[mudbug]

A couple of recipes for you to try:

Sugared Walnuts

2 c Walnut halves, raw
1 tb Sugar
1 c Peanut oil

Blanch walnut halves for 30 seconds; drain. While still slightly damp, dredge nuts in sugar. Spread them out to dry. Heat oil in wok to about 200 degrees, or until a test walnut browns in about 30 seconds. If walnut is too dark, oil is too hot. Deep-fry nuts, 1/2 cup at a time. Sugar will melt and form a thin, hard outer shell. Cool and cover until ready to serve.


Sugared Walnuts

1 pound Walnut pieces
1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup Powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon, ground
1/4 teaspoon Ginger, ground
1/4 teaspoon Allspice, ground
1/8 teaspoon Cloves, ground

In a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker, stir the walnuts and butter until combined. Add the powdered sugar, stirring to coat evenly. Cover and slow-cook on high for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and slow cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are coated with a crisp glaze, about 2 hours.

Transfer the nuts to a serving bowl. In a small bowl, combine the spices and sift them over the nuts, stirring to coat evenly. Cool the nuts completely before serving.

How do you make sugared walnuts? I've tried toasting them in the oven and adding brown sugar and butter, but that doesn't seem to work very well. Any ideas? Should I use honey or maple syrup instead? Thanks!
Kelley