Sugared Walnuts

I got this recipe from a student's process speech more than 30 years ago, and I've never found one I like better. A great Christmas gift, especially if you have a low-cost source for the nuts.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 3 cups

Ingredients

• 3  cups walnut halves or 3  cups walnut pieces
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. Spread the walnuts out on a large cookie sheet; bake at 275° for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from oven and set aside.
3. Combine the sugar, water, cinnamon and salt in a 3 quart saucepan and cook to 236°, soft-ball stage, WITHOUT STIRRING. Note: Use a candy thermometer for exact temperature if at all possible. You get much better results.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and the nuts.
5. Stir gently until the nuts are well coated and mixture has begun to cool down.
6. Turn out onto a greased cookie sheet, separating any pieces that have clumped together.
7. Cool completely.