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Homemade Chocolate Walnut Brownies

Description

Walnuts really make the difference with this simple homemade chocolate brownie recipe. Rich and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup California walnuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Butter a 9″x9″ square baking pan.
  3. In a double boiler over low heat, melt butter and chocolate chips together and remove from heat.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients.
  5. When the chocolate/butter mixture has cooled a little whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
  6. Note: it is important to cool the chocolate/butter mixture or the eggs will cook.
  7. Add the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
  8. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
  9. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
  10. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Apple Honey Walnut Cake

Description

This cake is filled with diced apples, honey, and California walnuts for that extra crunch. It’s topped with a sweet glaze that just takes this easy to make cake over the top.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, divided
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 cup honey
  • ½ cup apple sauce
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and diced small
  • 1 cup roughly chopped California walnuts

Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water (or milk)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ cup chopped California walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F and heavily coat a 10-cup Bundt pan with baking spray.
  2. Stir together 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl; whisk lightly to combine.
  3. Place honey, applesauce, oil and orange juice in a mixer bowl and beat with the whisk attachment to combine. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. Slowly add flour mixture and beat for 2 minutes to make a smooth batter.
  5. Toss the chopped apple and walnuts with the remaining tablespoon of flour and pour into batter. Spread batter in prepared pan and bake for 55 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cake for 10 minutes, then invert onto a parchment coated wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Prepare glaze just before serving. Whisk together sugar, water or milk and honey in a medium bowl. Stir in chopped nuts and drizzle over cake.

Walnut and Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Description

By Jenny Shea Rawn, MS, MPH, RD, recipe developer and healthy food blogger at My Cape Cod Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 6 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
  • 1 cup California walnuts, chopped
  • 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) salted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with foil.
  2. Pierce sweet potatoes a few times with a fork and place onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork or sharp knife. Let sweet potatoes cool slightly then slice open lengthwise and spread open slightly. Mash pulp of each sweet potato with a fork.
  3. Combine chopped walnuts, cranberries, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt into a medium bowl; mix well.
  4. Mound each sweet potato with 1/3 cup cranberry walnut mixture. Place sweet potatoes back in oven and bake an additional 15 minutes, until topping is warm and fragrant. Remove sweet potatoes from oven.
  5. Drizzle sweet potatoes with maple syrup and serve warm.

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Walnut Bark

Description

Whether topped with sweet and salty ingredients or marbled with sweet dark and white chocolate, Chocolate Walnut Bark is a delightful treat any time of year.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups California walnuts
  • 1/2 cup Pomegranate arils (seeds), fresh
  • 1/2 teaspoon course or flaked sea salt
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or 12-ounce chocolate bar, broken loosely into pieces
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag white chocolate chips or 12-ounce white chocolate bar, broken loosely into pieces
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided

Instructions

  1. Coarsely break or rough chop walnuts and place in a small bowl, leaving aside any skins that have broken off.
  2. Set pomegranate arils out beside the walnuts.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Melt chocolate. Microwave technique: Place about 2/3 of the dark or milk chocolate chips in a medium glass bowl with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.  Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until the chips are mostly melted. Add the remaining chips into the bowl and stir vigorously. You will have a thick, melted bowl of chocolate. Repeat the melting steps with the white chocolate and remaining vegetable oil. Stovetop technique: Using a double boiler on medium heat with 1-2 inches of water to the bottom pan, careful to make sure that the water does not touch the bottom of the upper pan (or other heat-safe mixing bowl).  Add the chocolate and stir frequently as you see the chocolate begin to melt. Once melted, remove from heat and add the remaining chocolate chips into the bowl and stir vigorously. Repeat for the white chocolate and remaining vegetable oil.
  5. Using a spatula, spoon out the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper to make a 1/4-inch layer. You can create an optional marbled look by reserving and dropping spoonfuls of the dark chocolate onto the white layer and white chocolate onto the dark layer and using a knife to create an unstructured pattern.
  6. Sprinkle with walnuts and pomegranate arils and lightly press them into the surface of the chocolate. Sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt across the bark.
  7. Refrigerate on the baking sheet until firm, then remove from the refrigerator and carefully break it into pieces.
  8. Store in the refrigerator on layers of parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Tips

  1. Make sure to melt the chocolate slowly at a lower power, stirring frequently. Melting too fast can cause the chocolate to become discolored.
  2. Melting about 2/3 of the chocolate and then adding the rest to the hot, melted chocolate will yield the best bark texture. Stirring the chocolate well as it starts to cool will also help give the bark the best texture.
  3. If you are marbling the chocolate, don’t overmix. Swirl back and forth in a zigzag or in circles until you get your desired look.
  4. Don’t spread too thin or the toppings won’t hold.
  5. Store in the refrigerator until close to serving, especially in warmer climates or in a warm house, or the bark may become soft.

Variations

1 cup coarsely chopped pretzels
3/4 cup coarsely crushed candy canes
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup coconut chips or large flakes unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup toffee bits
1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 cup mini marshmallows and 1/2 cup coarsely crumbled graham cracker crust
A light sprinkle of flaked smoked sea salt

Overnight Walnut French Toast With Cranberry Walnut Ginger Compote

Description

As seen on the Hallmark Home & Family Channel. Featuring nutrient-rich cranberries, walnuts and orange juice, this tart-sweet combination is perfect for your holiday breakfast or brunch. Make ahead the night before and pop in the oven in the morning!

* Nutrition information is for French Toast only

Ingredients

Overnight Walnut French Toast

  • 8 slices Texas Toast or 1-inch thick slices French bread
  • 2 1/2 cups milk or walnut milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted (plus extra for baking dish)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 6 eggs

Cranberry Walnut Ginger Compote

  • 1/2 cup toasted California Walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups cranberries
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (juice from 2 oranges)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Zest from 1 orange

Instructions

Overnight Walnut French Toast

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Place bread on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes or until it’s lightly toasted on the outside, but still very soft on the inside. Butter a 13 X 9– inch baking dish.
  3. Whisk together milk, sugar, butter, extract, cinnamon and eggs in a large bowl. Dip each bread slice into mixture and let soak for about 15 seconds on each side. Place in prepared baking dish, overlapping slices slightly if necessary.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until it’s golden brown and somewhat firm to the touch. Serve immediately.

Cranberry Walnut Ginger Compote

  1. To toast walnuts: Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Place walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and chop coarsely.
  2. On medium heat, bring to a boil and stir frequently for 12-15 minutes until the cranberries pop and the liquid starts to reduce.
  3. Serve warm or transfer to container and refrigerate once cooled.

Walnut Balsamic Spinach Salad

Description

This classic spinach salad is dressed up with Candied California walnuts, blue cheese, prosciutto and pomegranate arils.

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Candied Walnuts

  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Salad

  • 10 cups baby spinach
  • 8 strips prosciutto
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate arils
  • 2 firm but ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. To prepare dressing, stir together onion, vinegar and Dijon in a small bowl. Slowly add olive oil and whisk well. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. To prepare Candied Walnuts, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and cook for 5 minutes to toast. Add sugar and cook for a few minutes more or until walnuts are nicely glazed.
  3. Place salad ingredients in a large bowl and sprinkle with Candied Walnuts. Toss well to coat and serve immediately.

California Walnut Meatloaf

Description

This vegetarian walnut-based mixture has a classic “meatloaf” flavor. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup, divided
  • 2 cups California Walnuts
  • 1 cup cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional additions: 2/3 cup each: diced red onion, coarsely shredded zucchini and snipped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and set aside 1/2 cup ketchup.
  2. Place all remaining ingredients except optional additions in a food processor. Pulse to mix well, scraping down the sides as necessary.
  3. Mix in any desired optional additions.
  4. Shape into 6 round individual meatloaves and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle with reserved ketchup. Bake for 35 minutes until firm.
  5. Recipe tip: Substitute ketchup with a thick sauce and serve over soft polenta for a more Italian flavor.

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Description

You will fall in love with this ultimate pumpkin bread recipe loaded with California walnuts, aromatic fall spices and a crunchy sugar crust.

Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • Top with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and coat with flour.
  2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a large. Add walnuts and toss to coat.
  3. Whisk together pumpkin puree, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl until smooth.
  4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened, being careful not to over mix.
  5. Spread batter in prepared pan and sprinkle sugar evenly over the top.
  6. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before removing from pan and slicing.

Blueberry Lemon Walnut Bread

Description

The tartness of lemons complements the sweet subtle taste of walnuts in this quick bread recipe. The addition of blueberries offers a colorful antioxidant boost.

ingredients

Bread

  • 1 cup California walnuts, chopped
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure
  • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted, melted
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

Tip: Leftover buttermilk can be frozen for future use. If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to the recipe.

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh

California Walnut Cream Alfredo Sauce

Description

This dairy-free white sauce gets it’s flavor from onion, garlic and nutritional yeast. Serve over fettucine, ravioli or any other desired pasta. Reserve water from cooking pasta as you’ll need it for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pasta water, plus additional if necessary for thinning sauce
  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Hot cooked pasta
  • Chopped California walnuts, toasted
  • Snipped or chopped fresh basil and finely grated lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place walnuts, reserved pasta water, onion, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a sauté pan add desired pasta, tossing to coat and adding additional pasta water if needed to thin sauce.
  3. Plate pasta and garnish with walnuts, basil and lemon.

Recipe Tip: This pasta sauce is very versatile and may also be served stirred into rice or mashed potatoes.