Have you ever had those expensive sugary, cinnamony almonds from the mall or at sporting events? You know the ones I’m talking about, the ones you can smell from a mile away that instantaneously make your mouth start to water. Oh yeah, these are those! They are amazing and super easy to prepare.
I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for quite some time and was just waiting for the opportunity to make them. I knew I couldn’t make them to have around the house because Joel doesn’t like almonds (what is wrong with him?) and I can’t be trusted alone with them.
We attended a friend’s birthday bash recently and even though I was told I didn’t need to bring anything I just can’t attend a party without something in hand. And I couldn’t get these off my mind. They were a big hit and luckily I didn’t have to twist anybody’s arm to take them home. I lack willpower, majorly.
These would be a great addition to Christmas cookie platters or any cocktail or appetizer party. I think pecans would be great added to the mix or in place of the almonds. Make sure to read the notes before starting these delicious little almonds.
- 1/3 cups water, Plus 2 Tablespoons
- 1 1/3 cup sugar, Divided
- 1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Notes before beginning: Make sure that you do not let the first sugar mixture evaporate until it’s dry. You don’t want it soupy, but a very thick syrup that is sticking to the nuts. This is when you will add the second addition of sugar (1/3 cup). If your mixture does become too dry, don’t throw everything away. Instead, add a couple of tablespoons of warm water and stir until you have a bit of shine but some lumps begin to form.
- Add water, 1 cup sugar and cinnamon to a heavy bottom saucepan then stir. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the almonds, raise the temperature to high heat and stir constantly until the water is boiled away.
- The sugar will dry out a little but start to stick to the almonds. Keep stirring so that the almonds don’t burn on the bottom of the pan.
- Turn the heat under the pan to medium-low to keep the sugar from browning too fast. Keep stirring until the almonds start having an even shiny coat.
- Add in the rest of your sugar. Keep stirring and add your vanilla. At this point, there might be quite some crackling and popping. It depends on how fresh your almonds are. Really fresh almonds will make a popping noise and the coat may start to crack. That’s the water in the almonds escaping. If the almonds are older, there won’t be as much of that.
- Keep stirring until the almonds are fairly shiny but still a bit lumpy. You don’t want them completely smooth. The best ones are the ones that are shiny in some areas with some delicious lumps of cinnamon sugar on other parts of the almond.
- As soon as you see that happening, take them off the heat and transfer the almonds to a sheet of parchment paper. Spread them apart as much as you can, but don’t worry about some of them sticking together initially. These are extremely hot so only use a spoon.
- While they are cooling, keep on breaking them apart with your spoon until they are all separated. Once they are cooled, hide them in a dry, closed container. Theoretically, they keep for several weeks.
August 25, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Wow! I had no clue how easy these were to make! I must make these…like now.
August 27, 2011 at 3:51 pm
I assume you add the vanilla in the first mixture??
August 27, 2011 at 5:28 pm
You add the vanilla in step 4, right after the second addition of sugar.
August 28, 2011 at 6:06 am
Ive made similar kinda nuts but using an egg white and baking them, they are SO addictive, and i love the sound of your recipe so i will definitely be trying this as some point 🙂 sound gorrrggggeous
August 29, 2011 at 1:18 am
I love all nuts with sugar. These sound wonderful! Thanks for linking up to Fat Camp Friday. Hope you enjoyed your weekend, see you next time!
August 29, 2011 at 5:30 am
Every time we go to the ballpark, 9 times out of 10, I go straight for these almonds! Good to know I can now indulge on them at home anytime I want =)
August 31, 2011 at 11:15 am
I didn’t know these sugar almonds are that easy to make! I’m going to have to try them sometime. 🙂
September 1, 2011 at 10:09 am
Another great idea for my Christmas baskets! Thanks, Meg!
September 5, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Meg,
Your Burnt Sugar Almonds look great, what an awesome snack. Hope you will have a great week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
October 4, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I bet your house smelled heavenly as these were cooking! I love passing by the nut store in the mall at Christmastime and inhaling all the wonderful aromas! Thanks for joining the Holiday Sweet Swap (:
October 5, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Great tutorial -thanks for the notes, good things to know. 🙂
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October 2, 2012 at 11:05 pm
I just made these and they came out SO AMAZING!! Very delicious, and they came out exactly as I hoped they would. Thanks so much for sharing!
October 12, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Just used this recipe! My house smells amazing! AND they’re delicious!!
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