Caramelized Spiced Almonds

By lbgtdep

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 12 oz. whole almonds, with the skin
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

Preparation

Step 1

Place the almonds on a baking sheet and then into a 225 F oven for at least 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. If it starts to caramelize unevenly, gently swirl the pan to mix the sugar.
3. When it has turned a light caramel color, add the warm almonds. Reduce heat to moderate. Stir continuously, but gently so as to cook the almonds and allow the caramel to deepen in color. After about 4 minutes, remove from heat and stir in butter, cinnamon, and five-spice powder.
4. Pour the almonds onto two non-stick baking sheets or baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone sheets. Once they are cool enough to handle, but still hot, separate them from each other so that they can cool individually, rather than in a large mass.
5. When fully cooled, store in an airtight container.