Spiced Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipes

SIMPLE CHOCOLATE-COVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Set a pot of water over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add a double boiler to the top of the pot and lower heat to a simmer.
• Add chocolate and coconut oil to the double boiler. Stir until chocolate is melted.
• Place a drip rack over a parchment-lined pan. Place almonds on top of the drip rack. Pour chocolate over the almonds. Allow chocolate to dry.
• Once dry, store almonds in a resealable container.

CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the granulated sugar and water in a large copper pot or 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the almonds and stir to coat them evenly in the sugar syrup. Your goal is to cook the almonds until the sugar crystallizes and caramelizes.
• When water is added to the sugar, the sugar crystals are dissolved. As it boils, the syrup becomes thicker as the water evaporates and big soap-like bubbles begin to form. Soon, all the moisture evaporates and the mixture becomes sandy. The sandiness is the sugar recrystallizing. It only takes the reformation of one sugar crystal to recrystallize the others. Keep stirring! Next, you see the sugar closest to the heat change from sandy to a clear liquid. The melted sugar clings to the almonds. When the sugar changes from clear to golden brown, the nuts are caramelized. Once this happens, pay close attention; the time it takes to pass from caramelized to burned is only a matter of seconds, especially when making smaller batches. You know the nuts are finished when most of the sandy sugar is gone.
• The first few times you make these, I suggest you try the following: When the sugar closest to the heat changes from sandy to liquid, remove the pan from the burner and continue to stir. The residual heat in the sugar and nuts will continue to cook the mixture while you stir it. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to stir the nuts while moving the saucepan on and off the heat at 10-second intervals. This will give you more control as it cooks. When the nuts begin to caramelize, remove them from the heat and finish stirring.
• Use a wooden spoon to spread the caramelized nuts onto a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Do not touch the nuts as they are extremely hot. Let the nuts cool completely. If your freezer will accommodate the baking sheet, you can place the nuts in the freezer for about 30 minutes to speed up the cooling process. When completely cooled, break apart any nut clusters that may have formed. At this stage, you can choose to serve the nuts as they are.
• Place the caramelized nuts in the coating pan attached to the stand mixer. Spin at low speed. Use a ladle to add the chocolate to the spinning nuts. Add 1 ladle at a time until the nuts are coated to the desired thickness. If a thicker coat is desired, use more chocolate. If a thinner coat is desired, decrease the amount of chocolate. Finish by adding cocoa powder to the coating pan. Remove and serve.

SPICED CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
• Arrange almonds in a baking sheet and roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until a nutty aroma wafts out of the oven.
• In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt and cook, over medium heat, until the sugar melts and the mixture thickens slightly. Add the warm almonds and mix well until all the almonds are coated with the sugar mixture.
• Spread the spiced almonds in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bring to the fridge to cool for 20 minutes.
• While the almonds are cooling, melt the chocolate using a double boiler or in 30 seconds increments in the microwave (stirring after each time).
• Remove the almonds from the fridge and break apart any clumps. Dip each almond in the melted chocolate and place them in the parchment paper lined baking sheet. If you, like me, are not as patient, you can place all the almonds in a bowl and add the melted chocolate, stirring so all the almonds are coated. They won't look as perfect, but they will taste just as good!
• Place the chocolate covered almonds in the fridge to cool, for at least 30 minutes.
• Once they are set, transfer to an airtight container (or cute glass containers for gifting) and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a bowl.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cumin, garlic, cayenne pepper and salt. Heat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Stir the spices into the oil and cook, stirring until warm, about 30 seconds. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are warm and the spices are evenly distributed. Add the hot pepper sauce and stir to distribute. Remove the almonds from the pan and allow them to cool before serving.

CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Toast almonds for 15 minutes on a baking sheet. Line two baking pans with parchment paper; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, toasted almonds, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar becomes golden and granular and almonds are completely coated and separated. Pour nuts onto prepared pans. Chill in freezer, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place chocolate in a medium bowl; place bowl over simmering water until melted. Transfer half the chilled almonds to a large bowl, and pour half the melted chocolate over nuts. Stir until nuts are thoroughly coated. Transfer nuts onto prepared baking pan. Using two forks, separate nuts so none stick together. Return almonds to refrigerator until chocolate has set, about 20 minutes. Repeat with remaining almonds.
• Place cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar into two separate bowls. Toss half the nuts in cocoa and half in sugar, and gently tap off any excess powder. Store separately in airtight containers for up to 1 month.

SPICED CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until the foaming settles and the butter is light brown in color and is starting to smell nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove the butter from the heat and stir in the almond butter with a rubber spatula until smooth. Add the almond flour, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger and salt and stir until incorporated. Add the confectioners' sugar and stir until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.
• Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Place the bowl over a small saucepan with an inch of water in it that the bowl fits snuggly on top of. Place the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until the chocolate is almost melted, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth (see Cook's Note). Pour the mixture over the almond base and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds. Refrigerate until just set, about 20 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Using a small serrated knife, cut into bars and refrigerate, at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.