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Slow Cooker Candied Nuts {An Edible Gift with Diamond of California!}

December 1, 2014 by thedomesticrebel | 25 Comments

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Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts arranged on towel with jar in backgroundAs you guys probably know, a couple months back I had the pleasure to tour the Diamond of California Plant in Stockton, CA for a California Walnut Harvest!

It was so very awesome to be able to see firsthand how farmers grow, harvest, and process the walnuts in those iconic pale yellow packages that we eat, cook and bake with, and of course, to be able to sample it all, too!

Since that trip, I have had walnuts, pecans, and almonds on my mind. Walnuts, because obviously. Pecans, because those are one of my top holiday nuts to bake with and my most-used nut. And almonds, because Diamond Foods actually owns Emerald Nuts, and Emerald so happened to making their cocoa-roasted almonds while we were touring the plant and the aroma was incredible. So suffice to say, I had to make some extraordinary nutty dessert for you guys.

Diamond of CA asked me to prepare a fun edible gift in a jar for the upcoming holidays! With the whirlwind of errands, cooking, eating, traveling, and shopping (not to mention your daily grind) the holidays are more like holidaze with so many things to do and so little time. You’re bound to be stuck in a rut regarding gifts for neighbors, coworkers and teachers, or perhaps you’re assigned to bring something to a party and you’re tired of the same old veggie tray or bottle of wine. Have no fear, friend! I’ve got ya covered 🙂

jar of Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts ingredients with tag on itNot only is this recipe absolutely FABULOUS, but it could not be simpler to make! The nuts are slow-cooked for 3 hours and only require a little stir every 20 minutes. To me, that’s far less laborious than covering yourself head to toe in snow gear, piling in the car, and battling traffic and long lines to find some other gift that may end up regifted anyway!

Plus, this recipe is surprisingly versatile and yields quite a bit, so you can stretch your gift to serve for several different recipients — hostess gifts, a special surprise for the mailman or nanny, and a little something for your hairdresser. That is, if you don’t eat them all yourself. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about their addictive powers!

Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts on a polka dot dishtowelAnd of course, using Diamond of California Nuts are positively necessary! Diamond’s nuts are high-quality and all harvested right here in California. They’re positively perfect raw and right outta the bag, but something magical happens once you coat them in a sticky-sweet cinnamon spiced mixture that’s sure to win over anyone who’s lucky to get a jar. Because of this recipe’s versatility, feel free to use whatever nuts you’d like. For this, I chose Diamond of California Shelled Walnut Halves and Shelled Pecan Halves, and Emerald Nuts Vanilla Roasted Almonds for an extra hint of sweetness.

The hardest part? Not saving it all for yourself — and deciding which color ribbon to tie up each jar! 🙂

Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts in a wooden bowl on polka dot towel*recipe adapted from Instructable

Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Slow Cooker Candied Nuts {An Edible Gift with Diamond of California!}

A variety of mixed nuts are slow-cooked and coated in a rich and warming cinnamon and brown sugar mixture for a fabulous holiday treat! Gift the candied nuts in a mason jar with a pretty ribbon, or layer the ingredients in a mason jar with an instruction tag attached for a fantastic and EASY holiday gift!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time3 hours hrs
Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course: Treats
Servings: 8
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups Diamond of California Pecan Halves
  • 2 cups Diamond of California Shelled Walnuts
  • 1-2 cups Emerald Nuts Vanilla Roasted Almonds
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Liberally grease a 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray and set aside. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and vanilla extract with a fork until foamy and combined.
  • Pour the nuts into the slow cooker liner and toss with the egg white mixture until most or all of the nuts are coated. This mixture is sticky and will allow the coating to adhere to the nuts better. In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt until combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the nuts and toss to coat all of the nuts with the sugar mixture. You may have some extra sugar on the bottom of the liner; that's okay!
  • Cover the slow cooker and turn it on LOW heat. Cook for approx. 3 hours, stirring every 20 minutes to continue to cook & coat the nuts with the mixture and to prevent burning. In the last 20 minutes of cooking, pour in the water and toss to coat. The water helps the mixture adhere even better and creates that sticky glaze.
  • Once the time is up, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil. Spread the nuts carefully and evenly over the baking sheet and allow them to cool. They make stick together in clusters, so gently break apart once they're dry and cooled. Store nuts covered in an airtight container, or break into pieces and serve in mason jars as gifts.

Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts close up on a wooden bowlBe prepared for your house to smell INCREDIBLE with the wafting aroma of sweet, slow-cooked nuts in this rich, warm and spiced coating. The brown sugar and cinnamon mixture caramelizes onto the nuts, offering a fantastic candied taste and glossy coating, while the nuts maintain their sturdiness and nutty texture, creating a great sweet-and-salty balance. I can’t help but think of other awesome flavor combinations, like by stirring in cocoa roasted almonds or finishing the nuts with a hint of orange zest and a handful of dried cranberries for a fresh and tart twist.

Likewise, whether you gift the nuts pre-cooked or hand them off for the recipients to make at home, these nuts are sure to be a HUGE hit with anyone who receives them!

diamond of california graphic brand mark

Be sure to connect with Diamond of California for more recipes, news, tips & more! You can follow them on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & PINTEREST.

Have a fantastical day!!

xo, Hayley

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been working closely with Diamond of California as an occasional contributor to their blog and as a blogger. All opinions expressed are 100% my own and always will be. 

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    December 1, 2014 at 5:05 am

    You can seriously make these in a crockpot!?!? Oh, WHY must my country be devoid of those amazing inventions!……but you could probably make these without one right, because I need these!

    Reply
  2. Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says

    December 1, 2014 at 5:42 am

    Yum! Nuts covered in sticky-sweet cinnamon spiced mixture? Yes please!

    Reply
  3. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says

    December 1, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    What a fun gift for food lovers! I would be so excited to receive these, and I love that its a slow cooker recipe! My whole apartment will smell amazeballs while I make these. 😀

    Reply
  4. Isabella says

    December 2, 2014 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    Do you think these would ship well? For reference, I live in NJ, was thinking of sending these to relatives in Viginia, Maryland, New York, and Arizona. Thanks in advanced for answering!

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 3, 2014 at 8:58 am

      Hi Isabella! Absolutely! As long as they were stored airtight, like in a mason jar or even tightly wrapped in a bag, they would be great to ship!

      Reply
      • kim says

        December 8, 2014 at 9:00 pm

        what is in the bottom of the mason jar in picture?

        Reply
        • thedomesticrebel says

          December 9, 2014 at 8:47 am

          Hi Kim! That would be the sugar, if you were to package these up for your recipients to do it themselves 🙂

          Reply
  5. Tonette Joyce says

    December 2, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    Hayley…in a crockpot! How wonderful! Here I have been watching and slaving over a stove for it and trying to keep the nuts warm enough for the topping to stick but not enough to toast them! Great idea!

    Reply
  6. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says

    December 2, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    What a great recipe!!

    Reply
  7. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    December 2, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    5 stars
    I love nuts. True fact. And these candied ones totally remind me of what the vendors in NY have that make the streets smell so incredible! Mmmm

    Reply
  8. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says

    December 3, 2014 at 2:20 am

    Mmmm candied nuts are the best. Slow cooker?? What?? I have to try that!! Cute photos Hayley! Diamond 4eva 🙂

    Reply
  9. Staci says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:02 am

    Made these to give out as gifts for Christmas, my husband and I ate so many of them, had to make a second batch. They are delicious and easy to make. My new favorite way to make sugared nuts.

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 16, 2014 at 6:03 pm

      Hi Staci! Thank you so much; I’m so glad to hear you and your husband loved them so much! Merry Christmas 🙂

      Reply
  10. Isabella says

    November 6, 2015 at 8:21 am

    5 stars
    Just wanted to say that I made these as a Christmas gift last year for my extended family, and EVERYONE loved them! I had a hard time stopping myself from snacking on ’em while putting the nuts into the jars. 8p They’re so easy to make and taste amazing! 😀

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 6, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      I’m so glad you loved them, Isabella!

      Reply
  11. Ashley says

    November 21, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Are these all salted and roasted? I have some raw almonds I’ve been meaning to use and I wasn’t sure if they could be used here.

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 21, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      Ashley, these nuts were all raw before being slow-cooked, except for the vanilla almonds.

      Reply
  12. Leasl says

    December 17, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    How long do they keep for?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 18, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Airtight, I’d say a few weeks!

      Reply
  13. Janet says

    August 29, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    I made these last year and my husband suggested using clove, they were awful. Your recipie as written is wonderful. Sometimes adding your own twist is a winner,but a fail for that batch.

    Reply
  14. Mary Emter says

    December 11, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    Making these for Christmas gifts . 2 weeks until Christmas. Ok to put in ziplock bags and freeze until then or just refrigerator? My son was here when I was making them and he ate some. My daughter in law texted later and said he was raving about them and asked for the recipe.

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 11, 2019 at 7:50 pm

      Hi Mary! You can absolutely put in Ziplock bags and keep at room temperature or in the freezer.

      Reply
  15. Penny Burgess says

    December 6, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    I was disappointed because this recipe cooked much faster than I had expected. It may be because I live at high altitude or because my newer crockpot is larger and seems to cook hotter even on low. They were almost burnt. I was hoping to give them away as gifts. I think the flavor would be good had they turned out.

    Reply
  16. Barbara says

    December 17, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    I’m thinking of making these nuts and gifting them in mason jars to co-workers. But I’m curious about the finished product. Once cooked and cool, are they sticky, which might discourage snacking? if so, would they clump together or do they split apart so one could snack on them the same as caramel popcorn or something?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 21, 2022 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Barbara, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The nuts should be in small clusters of a couple of nuts per cluster or so. They won’t be in huge mounds that are tough to negotiate.

      Reply

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About me

Welcome to The Domestic Rebel! My name is Hayley and I am the 31-year old writer, photographer, recipe developer, taste-tester and creator of this blog. I’m so glad you’ve stopped by my little slice of sprinkly, butter-laden heaven on the interwebs. If it wasn’t apparent, I like to bake… a lot. Read More…

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