Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups unsalted almonds
Preparation Steps:
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet:
- Start by lining a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. This will help in easy cleanup and prevent the almonds from sticking to the pan.
- Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large non-stick skillet, combine 1 cup of water with 2 cups of granulated sugar.
- Add the spices: 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg. These spices will give the almonds a warm, spicy flavor.
- Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of salt, which will enhance the sweetness and spice flavors.
- Mix well to ensure the spices and sugar are evenly distributed in the water.
- Cook the Sugar Mixture:
- Place the skillet over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. The high heat will dissolve the sugar quickly and allow the spices to infuse their flavors into the syrup.
- Add Almonds and Vanilla:
- Once the mixture is boiling, add 3 cups of unsalted almonds and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the skillet. The vanilla adds a subtle depth and richness to the spice mix.
- Reduce the heat to medium. This will prevent the sugar from burning while still maintaining enough heat to evaporate the water.
- Monitor the Cooking Process:
- Continue to cook the almonds, stirring frequently. As the water evaporates, the sugar will begin to dry out and turn to a coarse, sandy texture. This is an important stage, as it means the sugar is close to crystallizing around the almonds.
- Keep stirring to ensure the almonds are evenly coated and the sugar doesn’t burn.
- Final Glazing:
- As you continue to stir, the sugar will start to melt again and form a shiny glaze around the almonds. This is when the almonds are nearly done.
- Once all the almonds are shiny and well-coated with the glaze, immediately remove the skillet from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Cool the Almonds:
- Pour the hot almonds onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading them out into a single layer.
- Use a wooden spoon to break up any clumps. This will help the almonds cool individually and ensure they don’t stick together as they harden.
- Let the Almonds Harden:
- Allow the almonds to cool completely at room temperature. As they cool, the sugar glaze will harden, creating a crunchy, candied exterior.
- Enjoy Your Spiced Roasted Almonds:
- Once cooled and hardened, enjoy your spiced roasted almonds as a delicious snack or use them as a topping for salads, desserts, or other dishes where you desire a sweet and spicy crunch.
This detailed process will help you achieve perfectly spiced and roasted almonds with a delightful crunch and aromatic flavor.
