These Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds are perfect for fall and even more awesome as gifts to loved ones.
Combining Bourbon and Pumpkin Spice making these Pumpkin Candied Almonds, is the best thing that has ever happened to almonds.
A healthy snack when you are trying to watch your figure is typically fruit, veggies, or some other weird superfood craze like seaweed. Typically, most healthy snacks taste healthy and aren’t even that great. Believe me, I have tried many of them. I have tried celery and peanut butter, peanut butter crackers, raw carrots and broccoli with hummus, and although these snacks are okay, they never really fulfill me. They only leave me more hungry and frustrated. This is even true for nuts. Although, I must admit, mixing nuts with cheese and dried fruit isn’t half bad. I am always looking for a healthy snack option to kill my cravings. I mean if I don’t, the next thing I will be snacking on is a large hot order of French Fries from McDonald’s. Yep, that’s how I get down. I know I can’t continue eating that way. At some point, I must eat like a decent human being and not a person who has no eating common sense. Although these Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds aren’t at the top of most healthy snacks list, they are at the top of mine.
Okay, so I know you are wondering, “What’s with all the Bourbon recipes Nicole?” To be honest. Bourbon is my vanilla extract. I don’t enjoy it to drink, but I do enjoy it to bake. It really works well with vanilla extract. You can’t taste the Bourbon in most of my dishes at all. Well, not the Bourbon itself anyway. But you can taste an extra layer of flavor that you won’t be able to put your finger. You just know that the dish is good.
In my first batch of making these Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds, I add a splash of bourbon and I thought that it was okay; the second time I made them I added about a fourth cup of bourbon and tried some other spices and it was better but not what I was looking for; the last and final time I made these Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds I just went ahead and added a full cup to see what would happen and I loved it! The taste of bourbon enhances the “roastiness” of the almonds and deepens the flavor of the pumpkin spice. Like these candied almonds are absolutely perfect for fall. They should be sold at farmers markets. The smell of these Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds cooking is the best part. You have no idea how delicious these babies smell. Like you really don’t. The best way to “smell” what I am talking about is to make these Bourbon and Pumpkin Candied Almonds. You won’t be sorry!
- 1 c. water
- 1 c. bourbon
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 3 c. plain roasted almonds
- 2 tsp. Pumpkin Spice
- In a medium sauce pan, add the water, bourbon, sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk together until well mixed. Bring to a slight boil by placing the heat on medium-high eat. Once the mixture has been brought to a slight boil, add the roasted almonds and stir until all is coated. Stir periodically. Allow the almonds to boil until most of the liquid has evaporated and the almonds are glossy and shiny about 15 minutes. If the almonds begin to appear as though there is a crusty coating on them, add about 2 tablespoons of water and stir and the almonds should go back to being glossy.
- Use a slotted spoon and turn to a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper and immediately sprinkle with pumpkin spice. Allow to sit at room temperature and the almonds will harden about 30 minutes. Break the almonds with your hands and store in airtight container.
These are my favorite to make. I normally bake mine tho so I’ll have to try it this way. I’ve made a spicy kind as well. Great reciep!
Thank you Selina!