Best Sugared Almonds And Pine Nuts Recipes

SPICY SUGARED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon of the sugar; set aside.
• In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water and the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils.
• Add the almonds and stir constantly over medium-high heat until the water evaporates and the sugar starts to dry and turn gray. (The sugar mixture will start to foam and then start to dry and look like sand. This takes 5 to 6 minutes.) Continue stirring constantly until the sugar starts to melt and caramelize, coating about half of the almonds in a reddish-brown sugar mixture and the rest in a glossy sugar mixture, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the almonds, stirring constantly, and immediately transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading the almonds to separate. Cool completely, then break apart. Store the almonds in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

PINE NUT AND ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread 1 1/4 cups pine nuts and the almonds in a single layer on separate baking sheets. Toast until fragrant and golden brown, about 8 minutes for pine nuts and 10 minutes for almonds. Let cool.
• Combine nuts. Process half in a food processor with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining nuts and 3 more tablespoons sugar, and add to bowl. Stir in orange zest and salt.
• Beat 2 egg whites until fluffy. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the vanilla, and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into nut mixture.
• Using 2 teaspoons batter for each cookie, shape into balls, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush tops with egg white, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Press 2 pine nuts into top of each cookie for garnish.
• Bake until edges are golden and centers are set, about 17 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

ALMOND-PINE NUT MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 cookie trays with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spread the pine nuts onto a jelly-roll pan lined with waxed or parchment paper.
• Break the almond paste into chunks and place in the bowl of a food processor. Add the sugar and process until the mixture is homogenous, stopping once to scrape down the bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the egg whites and process until smooth. Scrape again and process for a few more seconds.
• The mixture will be sticky, but with a light touch and moist hands it can be gently rolled. Keep a damp towel nearby to wipe and wet your hands. Using damp hands, round the mix into scant 1-inch balls and drop the balls onto the tray of pine nuts. Once you have 3 to 4 balls formed, roll them in the nuts to cover completely. Place about 16 balls 1 1/2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake the first tray while preparing the second, until the cookies are pale golden, and puffy, about 25 minutes. Place the baking sheets on wire cooling racks and cool the cookies completely before lifting them off. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 1 week.

CANDIED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; add the almonds. Cook and stir the mixture until the liquid evaporates and leaves a syrup-like coating on the almonds. Pour the almonds onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Separate almonds using forks. Allow to cool about 15 minutes.

SUGAR SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine almonds and olive oil in a bowl; toss to coat. Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until toasted, about 15 minutes. Allow almonds to cool slightly.
• While almonds are baking, mix sugar, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture over almonds and toss again. Spread almonds in a single layer and continue to bake until spices are fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Cool before serving.

CINNAMON SUGARED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy bottomed, skillet place the sugar and water.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until almost all the water has evaporated; about 5 minutes.
• Add the cinnamon and salt and cook until the sugar has dried on the almonds; about 2 minutes.
• Pour onto a large sheet pan and let cool.