Candied Almonds with Cinnamon and Cacao Recipe
These Candied Almonds are a deliciously sweet, spiced snack perfect for snacking or gifting. Coated in a mixture of cinnamon, vanilla, cacao, and sugar, then baked to a crispy finish, these almonds offer a crunchy, flavorful treat with a hint of warmth and richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of candied almonds 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Almonds Mixture
- 4 cups almonds
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Spice and Sugar Coating
- 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 the oven: Heat your oven to 250°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and enable easy cleanup.
- Prepare the almond coating: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and vanilla extract until frothy. Add the almonds to this mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure every almond is evenly coated with the egg white mixture.
- Mix the sugar and spices: In a separate small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, unsweetened cacao powder, and sea salt. Sprinkle this dry mixture over the coated almonds and toss again to cover all the almonds evenly with the sweet and spiced blend.
- Bake at low temperature: Spread the coated almonds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for 45 minutes. During this time, stir the almonds carefully every 10 to 15 minutes to promote even cooking and prevent burning.
- Finish baking at higher temperature: Increase the oven temperature to 360°F and continue baking the almonds for another 10 to 15 minutes. Watch closely in this phase to avoid overbaking or burning until the sugar coating caramelizes and becomes crisp.
- Cool and store: Remove the almonds from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet to set the candied coating. Once cooled, store the almonds in an airtight container where they will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Stirring the almonds periodically is crucial to prevent clumping and burning.
- Adjust salt to taste based on preference.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet to contain any sugar drippings.
- Ensure almonds cool completely before storing to keep them crisp.
- If you prefer a stronger chocolate flavor, increase cacao powder slightly but be mindful of bitterness.
Keywords: candied almonds, cinnamon almonds, sweet almonds, spiced almonds, holiday snack, crunchy almonds
