Sugar Diamonds Food

SPICY SUGARED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon of the sugar; set aside.
• In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water and the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils.
• Add the almonds and stir constantly over medium-high heat until the water evaporates and the sugar starts to dry and turn gray. (The sugar mixture will start to foam and then start to dry and look like sand. This takes 5 to 6 minutes.) Continue stirring constantly until the sugar starts to melt and caramelize, coating about half of the almonds in a reddish-brown sugar mixture and the rest in a glossy sugar mixture, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the almonds, stirring constantly, and immediately transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading the almonds to separate. Cool completely, then break apart. Store the almonds in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

SUGAR DIAMONDS

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Separate egg and set white aside.
• Add yolk and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
• Add flour, cinnamon, and salt and mix well.
• Press dough evenly into a greased 15 inch by 10 inch by 1 inch pan.
• Beat egg white until foamy and brush over dough.
• Sprinkle with pecans.
• Bake at 300 F for 30 minutes.
• Cut into 1 1/2 inch diamond shapes while still warm.

SUGAR SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine almonds and olive oil in a bowl; toss to coat. Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until toasted, about 15 minutes. Allow almonds to cool slightly.
• While almonds are baking, mix sugar, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture over almonds and toss again. Spread almonds in a single layer and continue to bake until spices are fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Cool before serving.