Raw Candied Almonds

This is such an easy and delicious recipe for sweet and salty nuts. The recipe came about when I got my first Healthy Surprise box.

A little background…Healthy Surprise is a great concept and a great company. Each month you receive a hand-picked package of delightful and healthy vegan snacks, ranging from nuts, chips, to power bars, and dessert treats. The brands included are superb! Sign up for Healthy Surprise by visiting them at http://healthysurprise.com/

Now back to my story…so in my first box I received a bag of Hail Merry Vanilla Maple Nuts. These nuts were the BOM! I wanted to try and make my own version, and what I ended up with was a delicious and candy-like snack. You will need a dehydrator. If not, you can try using the oven at very low heat. Hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Here’s the recipe:

Raw Candied Almonds
Ingredients.
(note: Ingredient measures are not exact. Everything to taste.)
2 c raw almonds (soaked for at least 8 to 10 hours, drained)
1 1/2 c organic Grade B maple syrup
1 T organic non-alcoholic vanilla extract
1 T lucuma powder
about 1/2 T Himalayan pink salt

Preparation.
Combine maple syrup, vanilla extract, lucuma, and salt into a big mixing bowl. Whisk until well blended. Fold in the soaked almonds and mix well. Set aside for about 1 hour (preferably in the fridge) and let marinate. Pour nut mixture over lined dehydrator trays, making sure nuts are spread apart. Dehydrate on 115 F or slightly lower temp for about 24 to 36 hours. Check in between time to see how nuts are drying. They should not be wet, and should be like hard candy. Add more salt if desired.

Once dried, remove from trays and break nuts apart so that they are in individual pieces. Some may have syrup stuck to them like candy, but that’s what you want. Place in a container and stir them with a spoon to separate some more. Store in air-tight container in the cupboard for up to two weeks. Or keep in the refrigerator/freezer for longer storage.

Other options.
Use a variety of raw nuts and seeds.