Description
These Candied Almonds are a perfect sweet and crunchy snack, featuring a delightful blend of cinnamon, cacao, and vanilla. Slow-baked to perfection, they’re ideal for holiday treats, gifting, or anytime you want a flavorful nutty indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups almonds
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cacao powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or less to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 250°F and line a rimmed baking sheet to prepare for baking the almonds.
- Toss Almonds with Egg White and Vanilla: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and vanilla extract, then add the almonds and toss thoroughly to coat each almond evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, cacao powder, and sea salt.
- Coat Almonds with Sugar Mixture: Sprinkle the combined dry ingredients over the coated almonds and toss gently to ensure each almond is well-covered.
- Bake at 250°F: Spread the coated almonds evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring carefully every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Increase Temperature and Finish Baking: Raise the oven temperature to 360°F and continue baking the almonds for an additional 10-15 minutes. Watch closely during this stage to prevent burning.
- Cool and Store: Remove the almonds from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Store cooled candied almonds in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Do not overbake the almonds during the final stage, as they can quickly burn at higher temperatures.
- Stirring regularly during baking helps to evenly caramelize the sugar coating on the almonds.
- Once cooled, store the candied almonds in an airtight container to maintain their crunch and freshness.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider using raw almonds instead of roasted.
- Adjust the amount of salt according to your taste preference.
