The crystal-coated almonds are heated to toast the nuts, melt the sugar crystals and form a thin layer of caramelized sugar around them.

Makes about 1 lb

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 3 1/2 cups (1 lb) whole blanched almonds
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Combine the sugar and water in a heavy saucepan and stir until the sugar is evenly moistened. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Cook the mixture to 230°F. Remove from the heat. Add the almonds and stir vigorously until the sugar crystallizes and makes a white crusty coating on the almonds.
  2. Return the pan to the heat and stir constantly until the sugar melts and caramelizes, making a coating on the nuts. The nuts will become shiny and smooth, with a very dark caramel coating. Remove the pan from the heat, immediately add the butter, and quickly stir it.
  3. Pour the nuts onto the prepared pan, immediately using the tip of an oiled or buttered knife to separate them. Let the nuts cool completely before serving.

CIA FOODIES

Candied Almonds

The crystal-coated almonds are heated to toast the nuts, melt the sugar crystals and form a thin layer of caramelized sugar around them.
Makes about 1 lb

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 3 1/2 cups (1 lb) whole blanched almonds
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Combine the sugar and water in a heavy saucepan and stir until the sugar is evenly moistened. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Cook the mixture to 230°F. Remove from the heat. Add the almonds and stir vigorously until the sugar crystallizes and makes a white crusty coating on the almonds.
  2. Return the pan to the heat and stir constantly until the sugar melts and caramelizes, making a coating on the nuts. The nuts will become shiny and smooth, with a very dark caramel coating. Remove the pan from the heat, immediately add the butter, and quickly stir it.
  3. Pour the nuts onto the prepared pan, immediately using the tip of an oiled or buttered knife to separate them. Let the nuts cool completely before serving.

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