BEST HOMEMADE CANDIED ALMONDS
My homemade Candied Almonds are sugar-crusted almonds with vanilla and cinnamon flavours. These sweet treats are irresistible! They have a long history and are very popular in the Balkans and the Middle East. They are super easy to make and can be packed in pretty little bags as gifts for friends and family.
HISTORY OF CANDIED ALMONDS.
Historians believe that candied almonds are likely to be the first candies that ever excited and the beginning of confectionery.
Although some claim these wonderful sweet treats were invented by the Romans as early as 1350, in many parts of the world they are known by the name Jordan Almonds and are believed to have originated in Jordan, which makes a lot of sense because the almond trees in Shobak, Kerak and the Jordan Valley areas in Jordan are known to be the oldest in the world. Sugar, on the other hand, is one of the world’s oldest commodities produced in the Middle East long before it was known to Europe.
WHERE DOES SUGAR COME FROM?
Sugar is derived from the sugar cane plant which is native to the tropical regions of India, Southeast Asia and New Guinea.
The first probable domestication of sugar cane was by the indigenous people of New Guinea, who chewed it raw. From 8000 BCE to 600CE the cultivation of sugarcane spread throughout Southern Asia and China. Around the 500CE, it reached the region of Mesopotamia, known as the Middle East today. The most important trade routes met in Petra in Jordan and if you have visited the archaeological site of Petra you must have left amazed, as I did, by the grandiosity and the overwhelming evidence of how rich the area once was.
The Crusaders introduced sugar cane to Europe in the 11th century.
It may be interesting to learn that sugar was extremely valuable in the past. In fact, so precious that people kept it locked up in special sugar safes and used it as currency.
Since Ancient times, candied almonds were a favourite treat in the Balkans. In many parts of the peninsula, locals make sugar-coated almonds for their most important holidays or make wedding favours with them.
This recipe for candied almonds comes from Croatia, where by tradition sugared almonds are prepared for Easter.
VARIATIONS OF CANDIED NUT RECIPES.
Candied nuts are practically irresistible! And, even though, the recipe here is made with almonds, you use the same instructions to make lovely sugar-crusted treats with almost any kind of nuts – pecans, walnuts, macadamias, and cashews.
Although sugar-coated nuts do not always require flavouring, I like to flavour my candied almonds with vanilla and cinnamon. The sweet, woody and slightly spicy flavours of the cinnamon pair really well with the aromatic flavours of vanilla and together they complement beautifully the sugar nuts.
The candied almonds can be flavoured only with vanilla, but I find their taste more complicated and exciting with added cinnamon.
More Candied flavours…
Other popular flavours for nuts are chocolate, orange zest, ground ginger or nutmeg. Some alcohols, like rum, bourbon or whisky, can also be used for flavouring sugar crust nuts.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HOMEMADE CANDIED ALMONDS?
📋 INGREDIENTS IN SUGARED ALMONDS
To make these petite delights, you will need almonds, water and granulated white sugar.
The almonds must be raw, with or without skin, does not really matter. For the best results, use large and undamaged nuts.
Flavour the candies with a few drops of vanilla essence and a tablespoon of cinnamon. That will make the candies irresistible.
📖 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Follow these easy steps to prepare sugared almonds:
Step 1: Gather THE ingredients
Check the almonds and remove damaged nuts. Measure the sugar and prepare the flavouring agents.
Line a large baking tray with baking paper. You will need it to spread the sugared almonds on when they are ready so they do not stick together.
Step 2: Make cinnamon-flavoured sugar syrup
I recommend using a large nonstick saucepan to make the candied almond because it will be easier to mix the almonds in the sugar syrup.
Place the sugar in the saucepan and pour boiled water from your kitchen kettle on top. That will save you time.
Bring the sugared water to the boil over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add the liquid vanilla extract and the cinnamon as soon as the water starts boiling. If you are using vanilla sugar, you can mix it with the normal sugar before adding it to the saucepan.
Stir until the sugared syrup thickens and starts bubbling.
Step 3: Add the almonds to the sugar syrup
Once the sugar syrup is bubbling, add the almonds. Stir frequently until the liquid evaporates. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
When the sugar syrup is reduced, start stirring the almonds continuously until the sugar turns into a powder on the bottom of the saucepan and the almonds are coated in the crystallised sugar.
Step 4: Separate the candied almonds
Spread the sugar-crusted almonds onto the lined baking tray. Use a fork to separate them while they are still warm.
Let the almonds cool completely before transferring them to a storage container or packing them in gift bags. The best way to preserve candied almonds is in air-tight jars.
how to clean your saucepan after sugar-coating almonds?
Be aware that after making the candied almonds your saucepan will have hard sugar residue left on the bottom. If you are using a nonstick pan, it should not be too difficult to clean the saucepan. Pour boiling hot water inside with a few drops of washing-up liquid and leave the pot to soak for 20-30 minutes. Use a long-handled brush to remove any sugar residue left undissolved in the pan.
Uncoated pans can be more difficult to clean and you may need to use a metal sponge or a scourer to remove the residue but always soak the saucepan with very hot water first.
🍲 HOW TO USE THESE TASTY TREATS
Candied almonds are versatile in their use. These little sweet delights are fantastic in fresh green salads as they add a wonderful sweet crunchiness and beautiful nutty flavours to the greens.
You can use candied almonds to decorate desserts or serve them as nibbles when you have visitors around.
Arrange sugar-coated almonds in small cellophane bags and decorate them with colourful ribbons to make cute little gifts or wedding favours.
Enjoy! 👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳
PIN IT FOR LATER!
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Homemade Candied Almonds
Equipment
- 1 large heavy-based pan
- 1 large lined baking tray
Ingredients
- 300 g raw almonds with skins
- 250 g water
- 230 g granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients and line a large baking tray or sheet and leave it ready to use later on the side.
- To make the sugar syrup, add water and sugar to a large heavy-based saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil, then add the cinnamon and the vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is dissolved completely and the syrup starts to bubble.
- Add the almonds to the bubbling sugar syrup and cook on medium heat until the liquid has evaporated completely and only the almonds are left on the bottom of the pan, coated in sugar. Stir constantly, especially toward the end. That will take 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the sugar-coated almonds to the lined baking tray. Spread over the tray and try to break the clusters with a fork while they are still hot. Let the almonds cool down for at least 15 minutes before eating them.
- Serve as a snack, or add to desserts or salads.
