Burnt Sugar Almonds are the perfect blend of sweet and salty. They are so delicious – I can’t stop eating them! Plus, they will make your house smell amazing!
There are 7 more shopping days until Christmas! Do you have everyone crossed off your list yet? If not (and even if you do!) I have a wonderful idea for a holiday gift – a gorgeous new cookbook! This book, Almonds: Recipes, History, Culture
I love the idea of making something from a cookbook and then giving it as a gift with the book. I made Burnt Sugar Almonds from the Almonds
These Burnt Sugar Almonds are seriously one of the best things I have made all year. I am not exaggerating! I have made a few batches and each time, I can’t stop eating them. They are the perfect blend of sweet and salty and nutty. The only issue is that they are dangerously addictive!
They do require some TLC, as you have to stir pretty much the whole time. Start to finish I would say it is about 20 minutes of stirring. But it makes a huge batch! And, it is totally worth the effort. These almonds are so delicious, and so pretty. The almonds gets a perfectly roasted flavor. The “burnt” sugar get caramelized and crunchy, and the cinnamon and vanilla flavors really stand out. The finishing touch is a sprinkling of sea salt that makes these the perfect salty and sweet treat!
Have you ever passed the street vendors in NYC making candied nuts? I am always drawn in by the delicious scent, although I never actually buy the nuts because I question the cleanliness of those carts… The smell when these burnt sugar almonds are cooking is exactly like the smell of the NYC candied nuts! These are perfect to make this holiday season – to give as a gift, to put out at a party, or just to snack on in your house!
Burnt Sugar Almonds are the perfect blend of sweet and salty. They are so delicious - I can't stop eating them! Plus, they will make your house smell amazing!
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add 1 cup sugar, water, and cinnamon to a large, heavy saucepan (not nonstick) and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and stir constantly until the water evaporates and the sugar begins to dry out, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and keep stirring until the sugar begins to melt and the almonds begin to brown and have a shiny coat, about 5-7 minutes. Add the 1/3 cup sugar and the vanilla and keep stirring. The almonds will begin to crackle and pop.
- Continue stirring until the sugar is mostly melted and the almonds are shiny and lumpy, about 5 minutes.
- Carefully pour almonds onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out with spoon or rubber spatula. Do not touch - they will be very hot. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Using the spoon or spatula, separate the almonds. Let cool completely.
Notes
Recipe from Almonds: Recipes, History, Culture
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More goodies from the Almonds cookbook
Your chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream frosting was AMAZING!!!!!
Thanks, Linda! I love that cake – it is my husband’s favorite!
Every single recipe you make from the Almonds cookbook always looks incredible. I really can’t wait any longer to get my hands on a copy!
these sound wonderful! i’m always tempted to buy nuts like this at the mall (since we don’t have carts in nashville,haha).
I love the idea of giving the book along with a recipe you made from it! These sound delicious, Cate 😉
OMG, I just want to dive right into that bowl! Nothing gets me more than sugar almonds at the holidays (that combo of salty and sweet just speaks to me) and your version looks so good 🙂
I can smell the NYC streets already 😉 YUM!
Despite almost being done with my Christmas shopping I think I need to add these almonds to everyones stockings! YUM!
Thank you so much for showing us this book, Cate! I know the perfect person to give it to. These almonds look wonderful by the way!
I’m loving this cookbook and these almonds sound out of this world. They are a perfect gift for anyone one your list!
I would eat all of them before I could give them away…so a double batch would be necessary!
These look delicious! These would be perfect to give as holiday gifts!
I absolutely love snackables like these! YUM! Perfect for the holidays!
I love this, they look so yummy!!!
Cate, I remember the street vendors in NYC with their delicious smelling candied nuts. . I was there several years ago during christmas time and I still remember it! can’t wait to try these!!! sweet and salty? love love love!!
Oh my stars these sound addicting! I will certainly have to try this ASAP 🙂 I’m sure these would be an amazing holiday gift as well! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much, Sam!
What a great idea!! I love the smell of these almonds…well i can imagine. I still need to make something from this wonderful book!
Those sound so good and I’ll bet they smell amazing when they are cooking!