The most wonderful time of the year has finally arrived! The Christmas markets are open again and we are already looking forward to the mulled wine and all the delicacies that will put us in the Christmas spirit. Of course, the most popular snacks include roasted almonds, which are available in several flavors. And since we love roasted almonds so much, we took the trouble to try out a few recipes and organize our own Christmas market. Luckily it worked out well, and now we would like to tell you the best recipes and variations. It's not as difficult as you might think.
Make your own roasted almonds: everything you need for this sweet snack
If you also love crunchy almonds with a sweet coating, then you have probably asked yourself at least once how they are prepared and what exactly they contain. Because how nice would it actually be if you could make the sweet snack yourself at home? We have researched carefully and brought together everything you need to know about preparing roasted almonds in one place.
The right ingredients
The secret to delicious roasted almonds lies in the ingredients. The nuts can be caramelized with or without skin. The classic snack is prepared with the skin on, although for a finer result we recommend using blanched, i.e. peeled, almonds. But it's purely a matter of taste.
Not all sugar is the same, so you should make the right choice here too. For a delicious homemade snack that is in no way inferior to the classic, mix white, brown and vanilla sugar together. This guarantees a crispy shell with the classic uneven shape. Classically, almonds and sugar are mixed in a ratio of 2:1.
It may not seem obvious, but salt is also an important ingredient for making roasted almonds. It enhances the flavors and balances the taste without leaving a salty aftertaste.
The above ingredients are enough to prepare classic almonds. But who?refine the snack a littleIf you want, you can add popular Christmas spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, gingerbread spice, among others. Unusual combinations with Nutella, Amaretto or even chili powder are also possible to create a very special taste.
Oven, pan, microwave – where do you make almonds at home?
At Christmas markets, the sweet almonds are prepared in a copper kettle, but at home you can also use a pan, a pot or a baking tray. It can also be prepared in the microwave, but we advise against it as it can make a big mess.
Prepare classic roasted almonds in the pan
Do you have a good nonstick pan? Then you can easily make roasted almonds yourself at home. Here is the recipe!
Ingredients:
- 300 g almonds, with skin on
- 80ml water
- 250g granulated sugar (or mixed 125g granulated and 125g brown sugar)
- 1 1/2 TL Vanilleextrakt
- Cinnamon, cardamom or star anise as desired
Preparation:
- Add water, sugar, vanilla extract and spices to a non-stick pan. Stir everything with a wooden spoon and warm the ingredients on the stove over medium heat. Stir constantly.
- When the mixture is boiling (and bubbling), add the almonds. Turn the heat down slightly and let the mixture simmer until the water evaporates and the sugar turns brown (about 6-8 minutes). Stir the almonds again and again.
- Once all the water has evaporated and the almonds are coated with the sugar mixture, remove the almonds from the pan and let them cool on baking paper. If the almonds are stuck together, break them up with a fork before letting them cool.
Note: Pay attention to the temperature of your stovetop - if it's too hot, the sugar can not only brown, but also burn in the pan.
Recipe for roasted almonds with cinnamon from the oven
Who doesn't like the smell of cinnamon coming from the kitchen on a rainy afternoon? This is exactly what you will experience if you decide to try this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 100g light brown sugar
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 600 g almonds, whole
- 1 egg white
- 2 tsp water
- 2 TL Vanilleextrakt
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 120°C.
- Line a baking tray (approx. 45×35 cm) with high edges with baking paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt and set aside.
- Place the almonds in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, beat egg whites, water and vanilla until fluffy. Pour over the almonds in the mixing bowl and toss to evenly coat.
- Add the sugar mixture to the almonds and toss until evenly coated. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for a total of 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes (three times during baking).
- Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Give joy: homemade roasted almonds as a Christmas present
Would you like to make your family or friends happy this Christmas? Then prepare more roasted almonds at home and pack them asdelicious Christmas presents from the kitchen. Anyone with a sweet tooth and Christmas market lovers will certainly be happy about such a nice gift.
