CANDIED PECANS/almonds

Candied Pecans and/or almonds are the most delicious sweet crunchy snack.  Perfect for topping ice cream, tossing in salads or to grab a handful for a snack!

INGREDIENTS for Pecans:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg white
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 lb pecan halves

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2. In a small bowl combine the first 3 ingredients.  Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the water with the egg white until airy and light.
4. Add the pecan halves to the egg mixture.  Stir to coat.
5. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the pecans.  Mix together evenly.
6. Spread evenly onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for about 40 minutes, until pecans are browned and the sugar has caramelized.  Be sure to stir the pecans regularly as they cook.

Candied Almonds

INGREDIENTS FOR ALMONDS

1 lb shelled almonds 

1/3 cup brown sugar 

1/3 cup white sugar 

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp salt 

1 large egg 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. 

1. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and salt until evenly mixed.

2.Separate the egg white from the yolk. Place the white in a large glass or metal bowl and whisk until light and frothy, but it is not yet forming peaks (no clear liquid should remain in the bottom of the bowl). 

3.Add the vanilla extract and whisk again until incorporated.

4.Add the almonds to the egg whites and stir to coat. Add the sugar spice mixture and stir to coat again.

5. Spread the sugar coated almonds out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil coated with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once half way through. After baking, allow the almonds to cool, during which time coating will solidify into a crunchy candy shell.