Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (2024)

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Candied almonds, also known as gebrannte mandeln in Germany, are simple but delicious with a candied cinnamon sugar coating around crunchy roasted almonds!

Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (1)

Why are my Candied Almonds Soft?

Usually if the almonds are soft after candying it means that they weren’t cooked for long enough. However, this recipe cooks all of the water out of the sugar syrup and then takes it a step further where the the sugar then re-caramelizes allowing the almonds to harden.

Can I candy any nuts?

Technically yes, but some of my favorites would be almonds, pecans, walnuts, and potentially hazelnuts!

How long do sugared almonds last?

Stored in an airtight container, these German Gebrannte Mandeln will last about 3 weeks.

Additional Recipes to try:

  • German Nut Strudel
  • Nussecken
  • Chocolate Cherry Truffles with Almonds

Tips for making Candied Almonds

  • Read the whole recipe first! This recipe is not one where you can walk away in the middle so it is important that everything is set and ready to go when you start.
  • The shallower the pan you use the quicker the almonds will cook. You can use a deep pot but it will take a bit longer for the almonds to caramelize. Therefore, I like to use a large pan.
  • These can take a bit of practice depending on your stove top. The temperature has to be adjusted a couple of times and if your stove runs hotter or colder than mine you may need to adjust accordingly. That being said they will be delicious either way they may just go super quick or take a bit longer.
  • When you get to the step where the sugar needs to caramelize – if you feel like nothing is happening, turn the heat up slightly (not too much or they will burn, but if the heat is too low nothing will happen).
  • Be sure to break them up with two utensils the moment they hit the parchment paper. If they cool stuck together they are difficult to break apart.
  • Be careful when making them, hot sugar can burn your skin so I recommend wearing long sleeves and an apron!
Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (2)

Ingredients

  • Almonds: Whole raw almonds should be used for this recipe. I recommend storing almonds in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them from going rancid.
  • Sugar: A combination of brown and white sugar is used for candying these almonds. A lot of recipes use only white sugar but the brown sugar adds a little extra warmth to the almonds.
  • Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon gives these candied almonds their characteristic warmth and spice.
  • Water: Any water that you would drink can be used in this recipe.
Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (3)

How to make Candied Almonds

  • Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large shallow pan, add in approximately half of the white sugar, all of the brown sugar, and the cinnamon. Stir together with a wooden spoon.
  • Add in the water and stir again. Place over medium high heat and bring to a gentle boil.
  • Once it starts to bubble all over, add in the almonds and stir to coat. Reduce the heat slightly – it should still be bubbling.
  • Continue stirring and cooking until all of the liquid has cooked out. It will look as though the sugar is dry and crumbly.
  • Slightly reduce the heat again – depending on your stove it should now be around medium or just below.
  • The sugar will start to caramelize and liquify as it heats and you continue to stir. Once about half of the sugar has turned into caramel, sprinkle the remaining sugar over the almonds and stir together. Cook for about 30 seconds until the new sugar is mixed in but not caramelized.
  • Immediately pour the candied almonds onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Separate the almonds with two utensils and leave to cool fully.
Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (4)
Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (5)

Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)

Candied almonds, also known as gebrannte mandeln in Germany, are simple but delicious with a candied cinnamon sugar coating around crunchy roasted almonds!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: German

Keyword: almonds

Servings: 12

Calories: 161kcal

Ingredients

Candied Almonds

  • 200 grams almonds
  • 100 grams granulated sugar white
  • 100 grams brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 100 milliliters water

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Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large shallow pan, add in approximately half of the white sugar, all of the brown sugar, and the cinnamon. Stir together with a wooden spoon.

  • Add in the water and stir again. Place over medium high heat and bring to a gentle boil.

  • Once it starts to bubble all over, add in the almonds and stir to coat. Reduce the heat slightly – it should still be bubbling.

  • Continue stirring and cooking until all of the liquid has cooked out. It will look as though the sugar is dry and crumbly.

  • Slightly reduce the heat again – depending on your stove it should now be around medium or just below.

  • The sugar will start to caramelize and liquify as it heats and you continue to stir.

  • Once about half of the sugar has turned into caramel, sprinkle the remaining sugar over the almonds and stir together.

  • Cook for about 30 seconds until the new sugar is mixed in but not caramelized.

  • Immediately pour the candied almonds onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Separate the almonds with two utensils and leave to cool fully.

Notes

Be sure to have all of the ingredients measured out and everything ready to go before starting this recipe. Once the cooking starts you don’t want to walk away.

These are delicious still a little warm but be sure to let them cool fully before storing in an airtight container. These can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for at least a few weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 13almonds | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

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Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied almonds not crunchy? ›

Usually if the almonds are soft after candying it means that they weren't cooked for long enough.

What is the tradition of sugared almonds at a wedding? ›

If you want to be faithful to wedding traditions, the sugared almond wedding favours for each of the guests must contain five almonds representing each of the couple's wishes: love, health, happiness, fertility, and long life together.

What is so special about Jordan almonds? ›

The traditional bomboniere includes five Jordan almonds, which symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life. Jordan almonds are thought to be a fertility symbol due to their egg shape. They are also thought to represent the bittersweet nature of life considering the almond's bittersweet flavor.

What do Italians call Jordan almonds? ›

In French and English, it is called "confetti," and in Italian, it is called "coriander." The name Jordan Almond could have come from the French word for garden, "Jardin." Others say that the Jordan almond looks like a type of almond that grows in Palestine on the other side of the Jordan River.

Why are my candied almonds chewy? ›

If your sugared almonds are sticky rather than crunchy on the outside, it's likely because you didn't bake them for long enough. Next time, bake the almonds for an additional 5 minutes. Just don't be tempted to increase the oven temperature as that could result in burnt almonds!

What do 5 almonds mean at a wedding? ›

"Italians traditionally package these candied almonds in bunches of five to represent wishes of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity," she says. For some, the five almonds also symbolize a number that can't be divided into two, just like the bond formed by a newly married couple.

Why do grooms shove cake in brides face? ›

The wedding cake smash tradition originated in Ancient Rome. After tying the knot, brides would have barley cake crumbled over their heads, which signified male dominance and the promise of fertility.

Why do Italians give sugared almonds at weddings? ›

They have been given away at Italian weddings since the 14th century. You'll usually find five of the candied almonds wrapped in tulle bundles to represent five blessings for the couple: health, wealth, fertility, happiness, and longevity.

Why are sweets called dragees? ›

The term 'dragee' has French origins and is used to describe a variety of sugar-coated nuts/sweets. The earliest form of dragees dates back to ancient Rome, where nuts and seeds were coated in honey and used in celebrations.

What are candied almonds called? ›

Jordan almonds, also known as sugared almonds, dragées or confetti are sugar-coated almond candies. Jordan almonds come in numerous colors, shapes and flavors. People include these sweet treats in their weddings to represent various meanings from the Italian and Greek cultures.

What is the history of candied almonds? ›

History. The first recipe for candied almonds is said to have been invented in the 17th century by Clément Jaluzot, the head chef of Marshal du Plessis-Praslin (hence the name praline in French). This almonds can be crushed to make praliné, used in pastries, and the sugar is caramelized, giving it a brown color.

How many Jordan almonds do you put in a wedding favor? ›

The perfect wedding bomboniere, which is Italian for wedding favor, includes five Jordan almonds to represent five wishes for the bride and groom. These are health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life. This uneven number also represents the undivided couple.

How long do Jordan almonds last? ›

How long can you keep these stored? BEST ANSWER: Jordan almonds have a shelf life of 365 days.

Who eats Jordan almonds? ›

The most likely venues for heaping bowls of Jordan almonds are celebrations hosted by Southern European and Middle Eastern families. These specific kinds of candy-coated nuts originate from that corner of the world, and it's been documented that ancient Romans used to enjoy them on festive occasions!

Why are my almonds soft? ›

When soaked, they become softer, less bitter, and more buttery-tasting, which may be more appealing to some individuals. Soaked almonds have a softer, less bitter flavor than raw ones. They may be easier to digest, which can increase your absorption of some nutrients.

How to make soft nuts crunchy? ›

Here Is the Nourishing Traditions Method for Crispy Nuts:

Soak 4 cups raw nuts in sea salt and filtered water to cover in a warm place at least 7 hours. Drain and spread in a single layer (I found that part out by experience) on pans and dry in an oven on its lowest temp for 12-24 hours.

How do you fix soggy almonds? ›

Keep them in a single layer and dry them at 115 degrees (F) until they are thoroughly dry and crisp. Make sure they are completely dry. If not, they could mold, plus they won't have that crunchy, yummy texture you expect from nuts and seeds.

How do you make almonds soft to chew? ›

Place your desired amount of raw almonds into a bowl. Fill the bowl with enough water to completely cover the almonds, then let them sit overnight (or for at least 8 to 12 hours). This amount of time is necessary to allow the almond to become soft. After soaking is complete, drain the almonds and pat dry with a towel.

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