Food & Cooking Recipes Quick & Easy Recipes Caramelized Walnut Halves 3.1 (21) Close Servings: 10 Yield: 10 Use these caramelized walnut halves to top our Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Icing. Directions In a small skillet, melt sugar over medium-high heat until medium golden, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Working quickly, drop walnut halves, one at a time, into the melted sugar. If the sugar hardens, return skillet to low heat, and stir several minutes. Using a fork, turn walnuts until they are evenly coated. Transfer walnuts to a wire rack to cool completely. Use to decorate cake.