Candied Walnuts with Maple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar (- packed)
• 1/4 Cup White Granulated Sugar (- level)
• 1 TBS Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/8 tsp Ground Cayenne ((substitute: Chipotle Chili Powder))
• 1 large Egg White ((30 grams) (SEE NOTES) )
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3 TB Pure Maple Syrup
• 12 oz Raw Walnut Pieces and Halves (- or 3 1/2 cups Nuts of Choice! (SEE NOTES))

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven to 300-degrees F (conventional) or 275-degrees F (convectional).Line a Large Baking Sheet with parchment paper and grease the paper with non-stick cooking spray.

2. 2

   Mix Cinnamon Sugar Spice: In a small bowl, add both sugars, cinnamon, salt and cayenne. Whisk, breaking up any large clumps of sugar, until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

3. 3

   Whisk Egg White: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the egg white until frothy, about 1-2 minutes.

4. 4

   Add Maple Syrup and Vanilla: Add the maple syrup and vanilla to the bowl. Whisk again until frothy.

5. 5

   Add Nuts: Add the Nuts: Add the nuts to the bowl and gently toss until the walnuts are evenly coated.

6. 6

   Add Cinnamon Sugar: Add Reserved Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the nuts. Gently toss until evenly and thoroughly coated.

7. 7

   Arrange Nuts on Baking Sheet: Arrange Glazed Nuts on Baking Sheet: Transfer the nuts to the prepared baking sheet, arranging them in an even, single layer.

8. 8

   Bake Walnuts: Bake. Stir. Bake: Place nuts in the oven on the middle shelf and bake for 20 minutes. Remove nuts and use a flat spatula to lift the nuts off the pan and gently stir. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 16-20 minutes, or until nuts are very fragrant and mostly dry to the touch. (Note: The candy-coating will continue to harden as the nuts cool!)

9. 9

   Cool Candied Nuts: Cool the Candy Nuts: Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and sanding sugar if using. Let the candied nuts cool to room temperature.

10. 10

    Serve Candy Nuts: Serve or Store Candied Nuts: Serve and enjoy immediately with crudité, cheese boards, salads, pancakes, waffles and more! Or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.