Listening to Sunday’s podcast with Lisa and John and learning about Lisa’s nut company, The Nutty Redhead, and passion for all things Victorian, I thought she would want to know about this authentic Victorian recipe. My Mimi always served Peppermint Walnuts at Christmastime because she had in turn learned if from her mother, my great grandmother! My Mom made minted walnuts, too, and every holiday season I make several batches for friends and family. Nutty snacks are especially great during the holiday season when you want something sweet but don’t want to load up on the butter and white flour. Best wishes to The Nutty Redhead and her growing business!
Ingredients
4 Cups sugar
2 Cups water
4 Tbs. corn syrup
pinch of salt
32 marshmallows (regular size, not minis)
2 tsp. pure peppermint extract
16 Cups walnuts
In a large pot cook first four ingredients until very soft ball stage, 230 degrees. Add marshmallows and stir until melted Add peppermint oil. Add walnuts and stir until nuts are thoroughly coated with frosting. Turn out onto parchment paper and spread evenly about 1 -2 inches thick. When thoroughly dry, about 4-6 hours, break any large clumps into smaller pieces and store in airtight containers. Makes approximately 16 cups.
Note ~ The recipe can easily be halved or quartered. Add fewer nuts proportionately for a sweeter batch. We save Bon Maman jam jars throughout the year as they make the perfect gift-sized container.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Kim-are they full size marshmallows-not the mini ones ?
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Yes Patty, full size, not minis. Adjusted the ingredients list–thank you for the question.
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The recipe looks delicious, but I really want to compliment the photograph — it’s beautiful.
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Thank you Bill, very sweet of you to say.
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Kim-one more question-peppermint oil or extract? Are they interchangeable? Merry Christmas!!
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Hi Patty Responding from curtain installation and iPhone please forgive typos. McCormick Pure peppermint extract in the baking department at Stop an Shop is where I purchase ours. Recipe very old, before minis and extract. Let us know how it turns out. Hope your family enjoys as much as does mine!
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Very timely for this time of year! This is the time of year where this would come in handy for sure and clear senses some above the lip and good for what goes down the hatch…You can also soothe your sore throat and ease cold symptoms with this delicious homemade tea. Here’s how it works: The peppermint, ginger tea or just mints. I am finally getting through my 100 something emails and snow…could say we got snowed in on both, Guess I messed up on the rain dance! 🙂
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Mmm!!!! These sound delightful Kim!!! Our grandmother’s knew best! Thank you so much for your kind words for That Nutty Redhead. I had my grandmother’s turn of the century cookbook and her photo on display at the Gloucester Block Party last night. Her recipe was called Burnt Almonds back in the day, since the sugar cooked to a certain degree, resulting in a praline flavor. 🙂
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Oh I wished i had seen that Lisa. My daughter’s Birthday bash was last night. That recipe sounds delish–I hope she’ll be on display at the next Block Party!
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