Slow Cooker Cinnamon Candied Almonds

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Candied Almonds are a delightful treat to make and share during the holidays. This recipe is made in a Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker and the candied almonds can be wrapped up and gifted to neighbors and friends!

My husband and I love to take mini vacations during the holidays when my parents can watch our kids during our visit. They are usually just quick overnight visits to Chicago or New York or Boston and it is on these magical excursions that I fall in love with my husband and big cities all over again. The sounds of the holidays, the sights of the city, and the smell of the candied almonds and pecans being sold on the streets are all some of my favorite memories! I was determined to recreate these classic cinnamon candied almonds this year, and I'm so excited to share with you this recipe that can be made in the Crock-Pot® slow cooker!

For this cinnamon candied almonds recipe, you will need a few ingredients and spices that you probably already have in your cupboards this time of year.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dark brown sugar
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup cinnamon
• 1 t. nutmeg
• 1 t. ginger
• 1 t. cloves
• 1 t. salt
• 3 egg whites
• 4 t. vanilla
• 8 cups almonds
• ½ cup water
• peppermint candies (optional)

The first step is to combine the sugars and the spices. Mix these first seven dry ingredients until well combined and then set aside.

Next, combine the egg whites with the vanilla and whisk until frothy. Pour in the 8 cups of almonds and stir until they are coated.

Combine the wet almonds with the dry mixture and pour into your slow cooker after you have sprayed the pot with cooking spray.

Set your programmable Crock-Pot® slow cooker to 3 hours and stir your almonds well every 20 minutes. This helps to further coat the almonds and avoid burning the nuts on the bottom and sides of the pot. Having a programmable slow cooker is a fantastic way to keep tabs on your dish without occupying the oven timer! This is a big deal at my house when we have timers set for all sorts of things this time of year and several different things cooking all at once. The Crock-Pot® Programmable Lift & Serve Hinged Lid 6-Quart Oval Slow Cooker is fantastic for this recipe, when you need to be opening the lid and stirring every 20 minutes. I love not having to find a clear space on the counter for a steaming hot lid because it rests on a hinge. It is removable for washing and serving, too. Another fantastic thing about this slow cooker is that it automatically reverts to the "Warm" setting when the time is up so I don't have to stress about being home in time to turn it off. The multi-method cooking options and automated smart cook settings are exactly what I need to help me pull off holiday entertaining this year!

After a few hours of cooking these goodies, doesn't your house smell AMAZING?! Just before the three hours are up, pour in ½ cup of water, stir, and let it cook for the last 20-30 minutes. This is where you'll really see the cinnamon candied almonds look like they're supposed to! Lastly, spread the almonds out on a wax paper lined pan to cool, but be sure to spray the wax paper beforehand, or use something like a silicone baking mat because these tend to stick to the paper if it isn't sprayed.

Warm out of the slow cooker, these taste just like they came from street vendors on the big city streets in December! You can serve and enjoy as is, or add a little peppermint to the mix!

Crush a handful of peppermint candies in a bag with a small hammer or mallet. You can also prepare paper cones while you're waiting. I used brown packaging paper cut into 8.5" x 8.5" squares, with a larger square (about 14" x 14") of cellophane inside of that, just to keep the almonds a little fresher and to keep the paper cones from getting greasy. Sprinkle in a spoonful of those crushed peppermints in the middle of your paper squares and wrap up into a cone shape. If this is confusing, be sure to watch our video below to see it done!

These cinnamon candied almonds freeze quite well, I must add. This recipe made enough for me to fill a dozen treat bags, fill a gallon-size bag for the freezer, and still consume as much as I wanted on baking day.

These make the cutest gifts! Drop in a sprig of an Evergreen and a branch of red Hypericum, then tie with black and white baker's twine for a unique and classy holiday treat gift!

I cannot wait to give these out to my neighbors and friends!

Enjoy our VIDEO below to see just how fun these are to make!

Use your Crock-Pot® slow cooker to cook up these treats this holiday season!

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Do you have some favorite holiday Crock-Pot® slow cooker recipes? Please comment below telling us your favorite things to cook for holiday entertaining!

 

Disclosure: Sponsored by Crock-Pot® Brand and Mirum Shopper. All opinions are my own.