Candied walnuts are walnut halves or pieces coated in a caramelized sugar, honey, or maple syrup glaze, giving a crisp, sweet shell over the nut's naturally rich flavor. Candying nuts has a long history in Chinese confectionery and spread from there to Europe and North America. Walnuts for candying come mainly from the United States, China, Iran, and Turkey. They're most often used as a salad topping, baked into cakes, pies, and cookies, or stirred into oatmeal and yogurt parfaits, and pair especially well with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese and tart fruits such as apples, pears, or grapes.