During the day, I am not much of a snacker. I tend to stick to my main meals- although you will often find me with a Diet Coke by my side. I know it’s not the best thing to pump into my body, but I am addicted. Just hook me up to a Diet Coke IV please.
However, the sun goes down (and I can’t drink Diet Coke anymore or else I will be awake all night), and my stomach starts to grumble. I am a night snacker- I look forward to the unwinding from my day with a sweet snack, and I often will snack and scroll through food blogs. I have my snack staples: ice cream sandwiches, leftover holiday candy (I just found a bag of Halloween M&Ms in my closet, hurrah for being a hoarder), and pudding. But I was ready to mix it up.
So for this month’s Secret Recipe Club, I decided to look for a new snack to try. I was assigned Desiree’s blog, Steak n Potatoes Kinda Girl. And upon hearing her website, I just wanted a big juicy steak. But I had a mission: snacks. I had a great time looking through her great array of recipes, and when I saw her recipe for Salted Candied Pecans I knew I had found a new great snack.
I made a few changes: walnuts instead of pecans because that is what I had in my pantry, and I added craisins because adding craisins is always a good decision. And these nuts did not disappoint. Crunchy nuts, chewy craisins, and sweetness. Perfect for late night web surfing and also a great road trip snack!
Also goes great with Diet Coke. But what doesn’t?
CRANBERRY CINNAMON SUGAR CANDIED WALNUTS
Adapted from Steak n Potatoes Kinda Girl
INGREDIENTS
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup craisins
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine walnuts, sugar, and water. As the sugar begins to liquefy (3-5 minutes), begin stirring. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar thickens and crystalizes, about 4-7 minutes.
Decrease heat to medium low. Continue to cook until sugar begins to harden and turn brown. Stir in salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and craisins. Stir to evenly coat nuts. Pour into single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Make sure to check out what everyone else made this month!
This is a great snack food! (Obviously, I have had too much caffeine today, err yesterday, I mean.) 🙂
Hi, I’m an honorary group C member this month. 🙂 These would be perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas time with the cranberries added. They look yummy.
There’s no way I’d be able to stop popping these in my mouth!
You are right, Craisins are always a good decision! This snack looks lovely.
I’m a snacker too! This looks fabulous!
I bet these smell heavenly!
I love spicy & sweet nuts – I want to try these with pecans!
I can smell the wonderful aroma of these candied nuts from here. Oh, yum!
Your sugared walnuts sounds delicious and easy! I cant wait to make it for my family.
I made this recipe too when I was assigned Desiree’s blog and loved it. It was a snack that I definitely could not put down. Great idea to include craisins. I will have to try that.
A great snack! I love the flavours.
So glad you liked the recipe! I loved your addition of craisins! Yum!
This would be a fun hostess or holiday gift! I love that you added craisins!!!