Candied Almonds Recipe (You can make it with pecans or walnuts, too!) (2024)

FAQs

What are candied almonds made of? ›

Combine sugar, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add almonds; cook and stir mixture until liquid evaporates and leaves a syrupy coating on almonds. Pour almonds onto the prepared baking sheet; use two forks to separate clumps and spread into an even layer.

Again, you likely didn't bake the almonds for long enough. The almonds will also be slightly soft when they're still warm, so if you've sampled them before they've cooled completely to room temperature wait a little longer before eating them.

If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Store candied almonds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Transfer to a freezer-friendly, airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Jordan almonds, also known as sugared almonds, dragées or confetti are sugar-coated almond candies. Jordan almonds come in numerous colors, shapes and flavors. People include these sweet treats in their weddings to represent various meanings from the Italian and Greek cultures.

Don't under bake the candied almonds, and be sure to turn them every 20 minutes. And perhaps the most important tip: let the cool before digging in! As they cool, they'll firm up and get crunchier. So if you taste one fresh from the oven, don't be alarmed if it's still a bit soft.

This bitter taste comes from amygdalin, a chemical compound within the nut that defends the nut from being eaten in the wild. Amygdalin divides into two parts when exposed to moisture: an intense almond flavor that is actually edible, and hydrocyanic acid that makes the nuts deadly. What Is an Almond?

Almonds are rich in omega-3 and monounsaturated fats, which is why they're good for a heart-healthy diet. 2 But those fats start to go rancid if the almonds are exposed to the oxygen in the air, especially at room temperature. Rancid oil makes the stale almonds taste bad.

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

Why are my candied pecans still sticky? ›

Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

Candied pecans will keep tightly sealed in an airtight container for one to two weeks. They will keep for at least three weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator and may be frozen for several months.

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last? Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you give them as a gift, be sure to include storage instructions.

Sugared almonds are a delicious and novel way to enjoy almonds, which are one of the healthiest nuts. Although a sugar coating certainly isn't healthy, the almonds that lie beneath are an excellent source of omega 3's. Sugared almonds are often sold in stand-alone carts in malls but for a pretty penny.

"Italians traditionally package these candied almonds in bunches of five to represent wishes of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity," she says. For some, the five almonds also symbolize a number that can't be divided into two, just like the bond formed by a newly married couple.

Low in sugar, and rich in fiber and nutrients from almonds such as vitamin E, biotin, manganese, and magnesium, this is indeed a healthy treat. In order to make the caramelized nuts without refined sugar to avoid blood glucose and insulin spikes, I use a sweetener called Swerve which is made of erythritol.