Easy-to-make, addicting, sweet, crunchy, candy coated cinnamon roasted almonds just like you get at the mall.
I don’t know if it’s every mall in the US, or if it’s just ours, but every year at Christmas time vendors set up and sell freshly made candied cinnamon roasted almonds. The smell from these crunchy, sweet cinnamon glazed almonds fills the entire mall and I can’t resist taking a sample or two as I pass by.
The almonds are a little bit expensive to buy, but pretty inexpensive to make at home. I always keep a big Costco size bag of raw almonds in my fridge for healthy snacks, so I almost always have the ingredients to make this sweet treat any time. Which could be dangerous because it really is impossible to eat just one.
There is a little bit of controversy online about whether you should cook them until the sugar crystallizes and the coating becomes furry or if you should cook them a little longer until the sugar melts again. I like them both ways and I think you will too.
Candied Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- â…› teaspoon salt
- 2 cups almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Combine the brown sugar, water, cinnamon and salt in a saute pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid evaporates and leaves a candy coating on the almonds.
- Pour the almonds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a Silpat. Spread in to a thin layer, separating the almonds if necessary.
- Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.* Remove from oven and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Today’s post is week 9 of my 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats hosted by Brenda, Meal Planning Magic. Be sure and check out all of the fabulous treats the other 12 weeks of Christmas Treats bakers baked up for this week.
Amanda Fendi
How to know when it is enough boiling them? I don’t want to burn or over-caramelize them
Barbara Schieving
After the sugar mixture boils you add the almonds and cook them until all of the liquid evaporates. Just keep stirring it while it’s cooking and you shouldn’t have any problems. I made a batch a few days ago to take to a party. Everyone loves them. Enjoy!
Liz
Love this recipe. Thank you.
Stephanie M
I used a different recipe I found on the Internet and it was awful. The nuts had no candy coating and so I thought I just wasted them. But then I saw this recipe and followed your directions to coat the nuts and they are perfect! Just like the ones you buy at the mall or ball games! Thank you!!!!
Hunter Santos
I just made these!!! So easy, took some time for the liquid to evaporate, we’re talking 5 to 10 minutes here. But overall it was fairly quick. I would totally suggest this recipe to anyone who wants GREAT candied cinnamon almonds!!
Barbara Schieving
Thanks Hunter! So glad you enjoyed them as much as we do. They’re hard to resist.
Gabe
I just made these, and they’re amazing!
However, about half of the almonds stuck to the wax paper, and were inseparable from it. Any thoughts?
Barbara Schieving
That’s so frustrating. Sorry Gabe. Glad you enjoyed the nuts. I changed the recipe to parchment paper or a Silpat and removed wax paper. I think a greased baking sheet would be another good option. I’ll have to try that soon. Thanks for the feedback.
Gabe
I just made them again with parchment paper. Problem solved! Thanks for your feedback!
patsyk
I’ve got to add these to my holiday gift baskets! These almonds look too good to pass up… not sure I’ll be able to let them go once I make them though!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
I go through phases where nuts either don’t appeal to me or I’m craving them constantly. Right now, almonds are the only nut that even tastes good to me! I don’t get it! So, obviously, these look great!
Jamie
Wow, Barbara, wow! But these must be so addictive! They are so pretty… and mmmm there really is something so festive and Christmassy about these almonds.
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
the vendors pop up here with their tempting roasted nuts after Thanksgiving as well.
Now that you reveal the secret I’m gonna make my own and stop paying the high price
My Inner Chick
Perfect Holiday Snack.
MmmmmmMMM. xx
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction
Love the aroma of these almonds at the mall. Makes a great gift too.
Terra
This is one of my most favorite snacks, but I always buy some. I so need to make some now, love your fun recipe! Hugs, Terra
marla
Love these almonds!! The perfect sweet treat 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes
o my you are torturing me with these candied nuts! I dare not to make them because they all ended up in my belly!
kelley {mountain mama cooks}
Holy delicious! I love the smell of these every time I go to either a sporting event or the farmers market. Now I can make them at home!!! 🙂
Valérie (Franche-Comté)
Quel bonheur, je les adore, les doigts dedans et je ne peux plus m’arrêter de grignoter.
Bonne fin de semaine
Valérie.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I’ve never “done up” nuts. I always do simple roasting but no more. I’m going to make these this year!
sally @ sallys baking addiction
I love candied almonds. I actually just made a batch of candied pecans/almonds today Barbara! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Mercedes
These do look just like the ones you see in the stores! What a perfect holiday gift!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I made cinnamon sugar roasted almonds about this time last year but I didn’t do the stovetop/boiling. Now THAT looks like the secret to getting that really thick coating on them, which I Love! Yours look PERFECT!
Rosa
Oh, delicious and so addictive! They’d disappear fast at my place….
Cheers,
Rosa