Praline Almonds

Here is the recipe for Italian-style praline almonds, a crunchy and delicious sweet perfect for offering as a snack or at the end of a meal.

Ingredients

• 200 g of almonds with skin
• 150 g of sugar
• 50 ml of water
• 1 sachet of vanillin or a teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. In a wide pan, put the sugar, water, vanillin (or vanilla extract), and the pinch of salt. Turn the heat to medium intensity and let the sugar dissolve completely in the water without stirring.
2. When the sugar starts to boil, add the almonds and start stirring with a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula. Continue to mix the almonds while the sugar starts to crystallize around them.
3. As the sugar dries up, it will become whitish and stick to the almonds forming a kind of powder. Keep stirring so the almonds don’t burn and the sugar caramelizes evenly.
4. When the sugar has well coated the almonds and has a golden and caramelized appearance, remove the pan from the heat.
5. Pour the praline almonds onto a sheet of baking paper and let them cool completely. Separate them from each other before they cool completely to prevent them from sticking together into one big lump.
6. Once cooled, the praline almonds are ready to be enjoyed or stored in an airtight container.

Praline almonds are a classic example of how a simple preparation can transform a basic ingredient into a sophisticated and flavorful snack. In Italy, they are often present during holidays and fairs, to the extent that they are also requested as a final sweet treat on special occasions. Enjoy!