Easy Homemade Maple Walnut Candies

Just in time for Valentine's day, these easy maple-walnut candies are sure to please anyone!  A word of caution, these delightful treats are not "low" or "reduced" anything and in no way are they diet friendly.  What they are is a nice treat that give their candy store rivals a run for their money.

Moderation folks. 

My father LOVES maple creams.  LOVES them.  When I saw a recipe to make them, I quickly printed off a copy and put it away in my " want to make" files.  I am so glad that this recipe didn't get lost in the pile of "want to makes" because they really are a delicious find.  Simple to make too!  No boiling to any kind of stage or checking the temperature of a liquid syrup.  It's basically a dump and mix kind of deal and you could have them ready in no time.

I purchased the maple flavoring needed for this recipe at Walmart, which means it should be pretty accessible to most.  I also roasted the walnuts in the oven prior to making the candies, to give them a richer flavor.  They are quite sweet, so a little bit of this candy goes a long way!

Maple-Walnut Candies

adapted from Mom on Timeout

*This is an indulgence recipe.  I did not work out the nutrition information.  Eat in moderation and enjoy! 

Printable Recipe

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed

1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed nonfat milk

2 lbs. powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups roughly chopped walnuts

1 TBSP maple flavoring  (I used Watkin's brand)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

16 oz. chocolate (milk or dark) coating (I used Merckens brand)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spread walnuts out on baking sheet or foil and roast in oven for 10 - 15 minutes, or until you just start to smell them.  Watch carefully, you don't want to burn them and they can burn quickly.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  

2.  Combine sweetened condensed nonfat milk and butter in small saucepan.  Heat on low until butter is melted.  Remove from heat.  

3.  In large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and milk/butter mixture with electric mixer.  Add in the maple flavoring, vanilla extract and salt.  Mix until smooth.  Stir in the walnuts. 

4.  Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to allow it to harden enough to handle.  (I left mine in for about an hour)

5.  Once the maple filling is firm enough to handle, shape into balls using about a tsp. of filling for each.  Arrange on a waxed paper lined baking sheet.  Once all the filling balls are made, return to refrigerator for another hour to allow them to get cold and harden a bit.  

6.  Melt chocolate coating in a bowl over simmering water.  Dip each ball into the chocolate coating and arrange back onto waxed paper.  Allow the chocolate coating to harden.  Store in an airtight container in the  refrigerator.  Allow to come to room temperature before eating. 

Yield:  approx. 48 candies

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My father LOVED these candies.  

If you can't find the maple flavoring, you could up the amount of vanilla extract.  They wouldn't be maple candies, but they would still be delicious.  

My life has finally slowed down, but it seems I am going through one of those dry spells when it comes to cooking and baking.  Just not motivated.  I blame a lot of it on the weather.  I'll be happy when spring comes!  I miss walks outside when it's not ten below or 3 feet of snow on the ground! 

I don't know if I will be doing anything special for Valentine's day.  No special meal planned.  Hubby is not much of a sweet's lover, so we usually don't do anything like candy...but if we did, I would make this recipe!   What are YOUR plans for Valentine's day?  

Don't forget, today is FAT Tuesday!  I am planning on making my Chicken and Turkey Sausage Jambalaya  for dinner tonight.  Have you tried it?  It's easy and delicious and perfect for celebrating like you are in New Orleans!   A delicious meal like that needs to end with something special.  How about my New Orleans Style Bread Pudding?