🌰✨ Candied Almonds
Sweet, crunchy, and dangerously snackable
Description
These Candied Almonds are crisp, caramelized, and packed with warm, cozy sweetness. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for holiday gifting, party snacks, topping salads or desserts—or just munching straight from the jar. Once you make them at home, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
📝 Ingredients
-
2 cups raw almonds
-
½ cup granulated sugar
-
¼ cup brown sugar
-
¼ cup water
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but delicious)
-
Pinch of salt
🍽️ Directions
1️⃣ Prep
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Sugar Mixture
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, cinnamon (if using), and salt.
Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to simmer.
3️⃣ Add Almonds
Add almonds to the pan and stir constantly.
Cook for 8–10 minutes, until the liquid thickens and turns syrupy, coating the almonds.
4️⃣ Caramelize
Continue stirring as the mixture crystallizes and becomes sandy.
Keep stirring until the sugar melts again and coats the almonds with a glossy caramel.
5️⃣ Finish & Cool
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Spread almonds in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Separate quickly before they harden.
6️⃣ Set
Allow almonds to cool completely (about 15–20 minutes) until crisp.
⏱️ Time & Yield
-
Prep Time: 5 minutes
-
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
-
Total Time: 20 minutes
-
Yield: About 2½ cups