Spicy Sugared Almonds

By Jahel

There's not a lot better than a deliciously seasoned sweet and spicy sugared almond! These are delicious on salads, as a snack, or even as a gift!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1-1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 cups whole almonds

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon and pepper, set aside.

In a 4 quart saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar and the water. Stir over medium high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils.

Add almonds and stir constantly until water evaporates and sugar starts to dry and turn gray. Mixture will start to foam and then start to dry and look like sand. This takes about 5-6 minutes.

Continue stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes or until sugar starts to melt and caramelize, coating your about half the almonds in a reddish brown sugar mixture and the rest in a glossy sugar mixture.

Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over almonds, stirring constantly, and immediately transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading almonds to separate.

Cool, then break apart. Store almonds in airtight container up to 2 weeks.