You know when you go to Homegoods and spend half of your money on knick knacks and candles? Well, this recipe is a product of my desire to create something that smells like a Homegoods candle and tastes like one of those popcorn mixes they have in that ONE aisle.
You know what I’m talking about. It’s got like, cheddar caramel popcorn, candied nuts, protein powder, goji berries and tri color pasta all in the same row. It’s like someone said “how can we create a supermarket offering but within one aisle??” And that’s where they landed. Yet…I always buy one of those snacks. Every damn time.
This recipe is super easy to make and will make a great gift if you put it in little party bags with gold twist ties from Party City (another store I cannot be left alone in). It feels like an “elevated bar snack” as one of my friends put it, and I’ve been making it for about 10 years now, seriously. The original publish date of this post was November 30, 2011. YIKES. Photo below – hooray for growth in the photography (and technology) game!
I feel it’s important to note a few things, 10 years later:
I have tried this recipe with unsweetened coconut flakes (still good!) as well as agave instead of corn syrup (not so good). The corn syrup is kind of necessary if you want it to harden and get that “candy coating”. And truthfully, it’s not a lot – you can use 3 tbsp instead of 4, and experiment! Maybe there’s something better out there now that’s more natural, but I’m not a baker so this was honestly a triumph for me from the start. And come on, I eat it like once a year. I’m sure it’s no worse for me than the Crunchwrap Supreme I ate two nights ago.
Homegoods Holiday Walnut Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts, unsalted and chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 4 tbsp light corn syrup
- Parchment paper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275
- Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix around with a spatula.
- Add the corn syrup and toss to coat evenly. Make sure to get all the sugar/cinnamon coated evenly throughout the walnuts.
- Spread the mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 275 for one hour.
- Let cool on the parchment paper for a few minutes, then break apart with a wooden spatula or your hands (I always use my hands). Happy holidays!
You know what, I’m very much ilcniend to agree.