It’s officially Christmastime. Dudes. I have been hearing Christmas music for WEEKS now, and it’s finally acceptable to me to begin listening to it myself. I always have to wait until after Thanksgiving- that holiday deserves it’s due respect. But now it’s also time to think about what the hell I’m doing for people’s holiday gifts. But here’s an idea.
Anyway, over the summer, Jay & I took my mother out thrifting/antiquing and for her birthday lunch to a little old fashioned ice cream parlor called Itgen’s. That I know of, there are two such places near us; one is Hildebrandt’s (famous for being featured on the Food Network by Guy Fieri) and Itgen’s (which has been featured in Saveur). Both make their own ice cream, both have traditional old school fare. Both date back to a time we know refer to as “back in the day.”
And there’s another common thread. Both places serve an ice cream topping called walnuts in syrup.
These are also known as “wet walnuts” but I’m sorry, I giggle every time I say that. Perhaps I’m just juvenile. But I prefer to call them “walnuts in syrup.” It’s a traditional ice cream topping, sometimes referred to as “wet nuts.” Heh. See? Sorry. I can’t help it. Let’s just go with walnuts in syrup, k?
Anyway, walnuts in syrup are a great thing to make at home, without having to leave to go to an ice cream parlor- no matter how cute and fun that parlor may be. Also they make a great DIY gift… because even though they’re processed in a water bath, they’re INSANELY simple to make! Besides, because it isn’t a jam or jelly, you don’t have to worry about pectins or anything. You just cook it, ladle it into jars, pop the lids and bands on, and then process it. And you don’t even need any extra equipment! Take a peek at this post for a quick run-through of water bath canning (I swear it’s easy!).
WET WALNUTS SUNDAE TOPPING
Ingredients:
- 4 cups walnuts, toasted (roughly chopped or just walnut halves- it’s up to you)
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup or 1 tablespoon maple extract
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
Directions:
- Add brown sugar, maple syrup/extract and cornstarch to a medium pot. Add cold water and whisk to combine. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take your still warm walnuts and pack them pretty tightly into clean, sterilized canning jars, making sure you have 1/2 ” – 1″ space between them and the top of the jar.
- Ladle or pour the hot syrup into the jars, over the walnuts. Leave 1″ headspace. Place your lids and bands to fingertip tight, and process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Remove lid from water bath and let water cool to room temperature.
- Remove jars, and let sit overnight (or 12 hours) on a clean tea towel. Any jars that haven’t sealed the next day have to be used right away- pop those babies in the fridge! All sealed jars will last for one year in a cool, dry place.
I didn’t pack my walnuts that tightly, and it shows. God. I’m sorry. This all sounds so dirty! Ugh.
I’m laughing now.
Okay. Seriously. Back to the nuts. HA!
Really. How cute are they? And who doesn’t love getting a home made sundae topping as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer?
Suggestions for use: serve over any kind of ice cream you want! Especially delicious with maple or maple walnut and vanilla ice creams. Also delicious over pound cake with a scoop of ice cream. Whipped cream and cherry on top optional.
Soundtrack: “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – The Jackson 5
Sources & credits: HEMSMAK jar labels; Ikea, striped tea towel; vintage, ice cream bowls; Crate & Barrel.
I'm Marilla. A 30-something artist, hobby baker, home canning enthusiast, gardener, DIY-er, wife, mommy of a baby boy and dog mom (to another baby boy) from New York. 
Asking questions are genuinely good thing if you are not understanding anything completely, but this article offers good understanding even.
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of house
. Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i am happy to express that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I so much certainly will make certain to don?t put out of
your mind this web site and provides it a look regularly.
This is a topic which is near to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details
though?
Hi Dear, are you genuinely visiting this web page on a regular basis, if so
after that you will without doubt obtain fastidious knowledge.
Hello there, I discovered your blog via Google at the same
time as searching for a related topic, your website
came up, it seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hi there, just become aware of your weblog via Google, and located that
it is really informative. I’m gonna watch
out for brussels. I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future.
Lots of other folks will probably be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Hi there, I discovered your blog by way of Google at the same time as searching for a similar subject, your web site got
here up, it seems great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hi there,
simply became alert to your weblog through Google, and located that it’s truly informative.
I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful in the
event you proceed this in future. Lots of other people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
If some one desires to be updated with latest technologies after
that he must be pay a quick visit this website and be up to date
every day.
I like it whenever people get together and share ideas.
Great site, stick with it!
Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started
and create my own. Do you require any coding
expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
This is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in the hunt for more of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.
He used to be totally right. This submit actually made my day.
You can not consider simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from
each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times
it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal.
I must say you have done a superb job with
this. Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me
on Firefox. Excellent Blog!
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, afterward
having my breakfast coming over again to read other news.
Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim that I acquire in fact loved
account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I success
you access consistently rapidly.