I wanted to give Skylar’s teachers and a few friends of mine a little something homemade for the holidays.
Knowing that cookies, brownies, and chocolate this-or-that goodies are very plentiful this time of year, I decided to get nutty to go in a different direction and roasted some almonds instead.
Roasting these nuts was a continuation of the Butter Up My Husband Project since he goes ga-ga for roasted almonds and maybe he’ll spring for a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer for me.
I can dream.
So far I haven’t gotten that stand mixer.
But Skylar’s teachers told me they liked them and so did my friends so that was a success.
[print_this]
Coconut Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds (Vegan; Gluten, Soy, & Dairy Free)
1- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or olive oil, grapeseed oil or other preferred oil if you don’t like coconut)
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp white sugar + pinch more after roasting
1 c almonds (I used smoked but raw, roasted, salted, plain, smoked; use what you have and prefer)
Optional, all to taste:
1 tbsp+ shredded coconut flakes
pinch ginger
pinch nutmeg
pinch cardamom
pinch brown sugar
Directions: Preheat oven to 325F. Combine all ingredients except for the almonds in a bowl and mix. Add the almonds to the oil and spice mixture, and toss to combine. Spread almonds in a single layer on a parchment, foil, or Silpat-lined cookie sheet (for easier cleanup) and roast for 15-20 minutes until lightly toasted, or until desired toasting and browning level is reached. Watch them because sugar burns so keep an eye on them. Allow to cool slightly and serve. Top with a pinch more sugar, coconut flakes, or other spices, as desired. Will keep in an airtight container or jar for week(s).
Double, triple, or quadruple recipe as desired if making for a party or making extra in advance for leftover, for gifts, etc.
[/print_this]
If you have more of a sweet tooth than a savory tooth when it comes to nuts, these are for you.
And if you want to deepen the flavor, add some warming spices to them like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, garam masala, or whatever floats your nutty boat.
Or add brown sugar. That will cause them to become more caramely like cinnamon and sugar roasted chickpea “peanuts”.
The more brown sugar you add, the more caramely and saucy things will become which is my preference but I kept these nuts drier because not every loves goopy saucy nuts
Scott’s more of a dry nut guy. Yes, keep the nut jokes coming. It’s okay. I know everyone’s mind is in the gutter.
If you have more of a savory palate when it comes to nuts, try Rosemary Chipotle Roasted Almonds
Or just go to town on the cinnamon ‘n sugar variety.
Questions:
1. Are you making any homemade gifts this year?
Either food or baked gifts, crafts, sewing gifts, a photo book you made, etc.?
I am so inspired by all the things I see on Pinterest from crafts to food. More “inspiration” than time to create that’s for sure..
2. If you’re making food items for others or as a gift, do you have a go-to or a signature item you like to give?
I never know what to give people so just go with what I feel like making that day and what I think they’ll enjoy but an never quite certain.
I hope that old adage is true, ‘the best gifts are the homemade kind’. Sure, I’ll go with that and hope for the best.
P.S. The winner of the Enjoy Life Giveaway is Claire @ Live and Love to Eat. Congrats, Claire!
3. Any Black Friday Shopping for you?
I didn’t set foot in the stores and actually tried to take advantage of a few rock-bottom online deals I saw on a couple items, but the items I wanted were sold out. At 12:05am!
Have a great Holiday Weekend!
What an amazing Gifty! I plan to make something homemade for kaylins daycare teachers! I shopped today-but only two stores and later in the day. Still had amazing deals!
Good luck with the Butter Up Your Husband Project. It’s bound to work eventually. You know how I got my stand mixer? I very casually put te Overstock.com sale price of the mixer I wanted (in green) on my mother’s chair in the morning. And at dinner. And in her bed.
Very subtle. That’s my thing, you know.
Having just made Ashley’s maple roasted almond butte,r I can’t help imagining these turned into a nut butter!!
OH those look yummy!!
These look wonderful and simple, awesome job!
1. Yes, probably kale chips or custom photo books.
2. And raw vegan snack or dessert with a long shelf life.
3. I did browse the mall, but I was not out early with the nuts. :-)
These are a great gift idea! Roasting in coconut oil is genius. I’m obsessed with anything and everything coconut, I can’t believe I didn’t think to do nuts in it yet! I’ve never done homemade gifts before but I’ve been thinking about it for this year mostly because I really don’t know what to get people anymore. Everyone has everything they want and need (a good problem to have) and I always feel clueless on what to get them. they would all like some cookies or nuts though :)
Skylar has some pretty lucky teachers!! These seem easy enough for even me to make!
PS. I learned something so valuable today: The lower the ISO on your camera, the less grainy/blurry. Do you know I had mine set at 1600 thinking that more was better? I swear I read somewhere that it was!! I took a test shot with my tripod set at 200… HOLY DIFFERENCE, yo! You probably know this from your workshops, but I feel enlightened now, lol!
Yes lots of pro photographers will not shoot if they need to have a higher than 400 ISO. In order for my pics in my kitchen to turn out, I will shoot with a 640 ISO. The jump on my camera is 100, 200, 400, 500, 640, 800…
500 is too low for my afternoon photos I’ve found, sadly. But yes, the lower you can go, the less grainy. Glad you had the lightbulb moment!
That’s a wonderful idea for a gift, and for a recipe! I love, love, love seasoned and sweetened nuts. I could eat a pound at a time… and probably have, haha.
Girl, you totally deserve that mixer! We have one in red and they last foreverrrrr! Seriously. My parents had at least 3 or 4 of them between the house and business for about 20 years–longer if we kept them! The red one we have is almost 7 years old and looks brand new despite using the hell out of it. I am tempted to get a new color when we buy a house. Two can come in handy when you’re being a mixologist of the sugary persuasion. ;)
I haven’t been at my computer much this week, trying to take it easy on the strain that doesn’t want to go away. :(
BTW, I love the photography in this post, particularly the first pic. It just looks ‘festive’ but without being too literal. It’s a happy holiday pic, without trying too hard.
Thanks for the compliments! :)
I AM doing a lot of baking for gifts this year. As I’m heading into Postgraduate studies, I have to get used to being on a budget for… a few more years. The only downside is that you can’t really make stuff too far in advance..
Mmmmm these ones look even better than the last! (Only because I have an insatiable sweet tooth).
I did actually go shopping today. I figured because I’m in Canada, I’d be safe. That was dumb >.< haha. But I grabbed two presents, and some flour & vegan 'butter' for holiday baking and headed home. Just polished off some cookies and about to dig into wine :D
Enjoy your weekend!! <3
I do love this idea of giving roasted nuts instead of cookies or candy this holiday season…it’s such a charming and traditional gift. Plus,like you mentioned, there’s so many ways to spice them…there’s an option for everyone.
As for holiday shopping, lately, I’ve been eying some Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) tickets for my parents…I tend to think experiences are always the best gift.
these look so good!!! love it Averie!
These sounds so good! I love coconut and I’m always looking for a reason to use my giant tub of coconut oil.
Also, those chickpea “peanuts” are going on my must-make list. I’m obsessed with bbq roasted chickpeas and can’t wait to try a sweet version! They look incredible.
The “peanuts” are sooo addictive! They are sweet like candied peanuts. You gotta try em :)
Coconut-cinnamon YUM!
I went black friday shopping for myself (you’ll see in tomorrow’s post). That’s probably not the proper thing to do, but it was fun. ;)
And I have always wanted to make cranberry-white chocolate biscotti, but have never tried – as gifts and for my own coffee. This might be the year to do that.