Oklahoma Nut Candy is a delicious treat that combines crunchy nuts, sweet caramel, and chocolate into one irresistible candy. It’s a great choice for holiday gift-giving or as a tasty snack. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own Oklahoma Nut Candy at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed nuts (such as pecans, cashews, and almonds)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate, if preferred)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Baking Sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Spread the mixed nuts evenly on the baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they’re golden and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Remove them from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Make the Caramel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer while stirring constantly. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens slightly and the sugar has dissolved. Be careful not to let it boil over.
3. Combine Nuts and Caramel:
- Pour the toasted nuts onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the nuts, making sure they’re all coated. Use a spatula to spread the sauce and nuts around if necessary.
4. Add Chocolate:
- Place the baking sheet back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the caramel and allow the nuts to soak in the sweet flavor.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the caramel-coated nuts. Let them sit for about 2-3 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate evenly with a spatula.
5. Drizzle with White Chocolate (Optional):
- If using white chocolate, melt it in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of the candy for a beautiful and delicious finish.
6. Cool and Break Into Pieces:
- Allow the Oklahoma Nut Candy to cool completely at room temperature, which will help the chocolate set. Once it’s cool, break it into pieces and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can adjust the nut mixture to your taste, using just one type of nut or a different combination like macadamia nuts, peanuts, or walnuts.
- For a more intense flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a small amount of coffee granules to the caramel.
- If you prefer, you can also use milk chocolate chips throughout instead of semi-sweet for a sweeter candy.
This Oklahoma Nut Candy is sweet, salty, and crunchy—perfect for sharing during the holidays or keeping as a treat for yourself!
