Spiced Candied Walnuts

I made these one year for Christmas gifts for my co-workers. I put them in mason jars with a Christmas-print fabric under the lid and raffia tied around it. They also make great hostess gifts!

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups walnut halves and/or pieces

In a 2-qt saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, swirling the pan frequently until the sugar dissolves.

Continue boiling for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, or until the mix has thickened slightly and the bubbles become smaller and more compact. (On a candy thermometer, this is the soft ball stage, about 235 degrees.)

Remove pan from heat and add vanilla and walnuts. Stir gently just until the sugar coating stiffens and begins looking creamy rather than shiny. Scrape the nuts onto a platter or baking sheet and use two forks to pull them apart. Cool completely and then store in an airtight container.