Maple Candied Cashews

These maple candied cashews are made on the stovetop using a simple one-pan method, combining butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar to create deeply caramelized, crisp cashews with a rich maple finish.

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

I’m always drawn to simple stovetop treats that come together quickly and don’t require much planning. These maple candied cashews are easy to make, deeply flavourful, and just a little dangerous. Good luck limiting yourself to only a handful of these nuts. So, let’s dive into these maple candied cashews.

Why You’ll Love These Maple Candied Cashews

• Easy stovetop recipe: No oven needed and minimal cleanup.
• One-pan method: Everything comes together in a single saucepan or skillet.
• Deep maple flavour: Maple syrup and brown sugar create rich caramel notes.
• Distinctive texture: Crisp on the outside with a firm, candy-like coating.
• Versatile: Great for snacking, gifting, or adding to desserts and cheese boards.

Flavour and Texture Profile

These stovetop maple candied cashews have a deep, buttery maple flavour balanced with a subtle sweetness and a touch of salt. As they cool, the caramel sets into a slightly gritty, firm coating – almost fudge-like in texture – that clings to each cashew and breaks into satisfying clusters. The result is rich, indulgent, and unmistakably candy-like without being overly sweet.

Ingredients You’ll Need for These Maple Candied Cashews

For these maple candied cashews, the ingredient list is short and straightforward, relying on pantry staples and good-quality cashews.

• Cashews: Creamy and naturally sweet, they caramelize beautifully on the stovetop.
• Butter: Forms the base of the caramel and adds richness.
• Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness and signature maple flavour.
• Light brown sugar: Deepens the caramel and helps it set.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and sharpens the flavour.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the caramel.
• Maple flavour (optional): Enhances the maple notes if desired.

How to Make Maple Candied Cashews

To make these maple candied cashews, melt the butter in a small to medium heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet over high-medium heat. Add the maple syrup, brown sugar, and salt, then bring to a boil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is slightly thickened and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the syrup sit over the heat for 30 to 40 seconds to cool slightly.

Add the cashews and stir well to coat them evenly in the caramel. Continue cooking for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the cashews are pleasantly browned and fully caramelized. Keep a close eye on the pan, as caramel can burn quickly, and lower the heat if the mixture bubbles too aggressively.

If using, stir in the vanilla extract and maple flavour, cook for about 30 seconds, then turn off the heat. Transfer the cashews to a parchment-lined plate or tray, spread them out, and let cool for about 30 minutes before breaking into clusters and storing in an airtight container.

More Delicious Caramelized Nuts Recipes

Are you looking for more candied nuts ideas, like these maple candied cashews? Be sure to check more recipes below:

• Maple Candied Pecans – Easy One-Pan Stovetop Recipe
• Lavender Maple Candied Nuts
• Dulce de Leche Candied Pecans
• Candied Pine Nuts
• Festive Toffee Orange Brandy Pecans – Easy Stovetop Recipe for the Holidays
• Stovetop Gingerbread Candied Nuts – A Festive Stovetop Recipe

I’d love for you to try these stovetop candied cashews. If you give this recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

Maple Candied Cashews

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Stovetop maple candied cashews with a rich maple caramel coating that’s soft, candy-like, and deeply flavourful. Easy one-pan recipe.

Course: Snacks and Treats

5.0 from 4 votes

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Servings

4-6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Cooling time

30-40

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 2 to 2½ cups (280–350 g) raw cashews

• 7 tbsp (100 g) unsalted butter

• ½ cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup

• ⅔ cup (90–100 g) light brown sugar, loosely packed

• a good pinch of salt

• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

• a few drops of maple flavour (optional)

Directions

• In a small-medium heavy-bottom saucepan or skillet melt the butter over high medium heat. Add the maple syrup, brown sugar and salt. Boil for 3-4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened and lightly browned.
• Reduce heat to medium low. Keep the syrup over this heat for 30-40 seconds to cool down a bit.
• Stir in the cashews, stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon, to coat.
• Keep cooking, stirring often, for about 7 to 10 minutes, until the nuts are pleasantly browned. Keep an eye on the saucepan not to burn the caramel on the bottom (you might need to lower heat even more if the mixture boiling too much.)
• At the end, if desired, stir in the vanilla extract and (or) maple flavour. Stir for 30 seconds and turn the heat off.
• Transfer the nuts on a large plate or tray, linen with parchment or foil, flattening with a spatula or spoon. Let it cool for about 30 minutes or so then break into clusters and enjoy. Store the leftovers in air-tight container.