Buzz
You don’t need to handle molten caramel to create delicious candied nuts. There’s a faster and safer method that doesn’t require candy thermometers, silicone mats, or burn cream. This simple, tasty, and visually appealing recipe is perfect for making with kids. All you need is sugar, egg white, and, of course, nuts.
Working with sugar at home can be a challenge. It often means melting it to nearly 350°F, only to have it crystallize and force you to start over. However, once you get it right, you end up with a glossy, clear, hard candy shell on whatever you dip into it. This method for candied nuts doesn't require melting sugar in the same manner, giving you a different look, but still offering the roasted nuttiness, crunch, and sweetness. In fact, they take on a ‘snowy’ appearance, making them a festive addition to any winter-themed cheese board.
How to Create Sugared Nuts
Place the raw nuts you wish to candy into a bowl along with a small amount of egg white. Use your hands to mix, ensuring that the nuts are evenly coated in the egg white. Add white granulated sugar to the bowl and toss to coat. Arrange the egg white and sugar-coated nuts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant. The nuts may stick together a bit; simply break them apart once they have cooled.
Less is more
Be cautious not to overdo the egg white. For approximately ½ cup of nuts, I use just a small teaspoon of egg white and one tablespoon of sugar. The egg white acts as a neutral adhesive, bonding the nuts and sugar together. Once baked, the egg white dries, leaving you with beautiful sugar-coated nut clusters. If too much egg white is added, it will result in blobs on the baking sheet, and the sugar won’t coat the nuts evenly. Since egg white is difficult to scoop directly from the egg, separate it from the yolk into a small bowl and whisk it with a fork until it becomes slightly frothy. This will break up the albumen and make it easier to scoop with a teaspoon.
Serve this delightful treat as a festive snack in a bowl at a party, or use it to add a sparkling touch to cakes or pies. You can make this recipe with any variety of nuts, and adjust the quantities to create larger batches.
Simple Sugared Nuts Recipe
Ingredients:
½ cup of raw nuts
1 teaspoon of egg white
1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix the nuts and egg white until they are evenly coated. Add the sugar and toss to combine. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the nuts are golden and fragrant. Allow them to cool for 15-30 minutes before serving.
