Mexican Dessert Recipes
How to Make Candied Almonds Cupcakes
Candied almonds are delicious as a snack or as a topping for Mexican cake recipes like these almond cupcakes. Candied almonds are easy to make but you will need to use a pan with a thick base so the heat spreads evenly. Some cookbooks will tell you to combine water and sugar over a medium heat for a smoother caramel but you do not need to do that unless you want to.
You might want to add a little more water to the caramel mixture if it seems to dry but that is up to you. Some people do not use any water at all. Do not touch or taste the caramel while it is liquid because it will be extremely hot. Once you know how to make candied almonds, you can find all kinds of uses for them. They keep fresh in an airtight container for about a week.
You can crush them and use them to top ice cream, use them to decorate cheesecakes or other desserts or snack on them. The following recipe for candied almonds is simple and you can add some chili flakes to the mixture if you want, to give the cupcakes an authentic Mexican dessert flavor. The cupcakes are flavored with almond extract and vanilla. Only fill the cupcake cases ½ or ⅔ full, else there will not be room on top for the candied almonds.
Almond Cupcakes with a Cinnamon Candied Almonds Topping
Ingredients -
For the Cupcakes:
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 ¼ cups milk
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter
2 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
For the Candied Almonds:
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup white sugar
Water, as needed
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cream the butter until smooth, then beat in the sugar and eggs.
Add the flour, milk, baking powder, vanilla extract, salt and almond extract and mix well. Divide the mixture between 24 cupcake liners, filling each one ½ to ⅔ full.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cupcakes are golden brown.
Combine the almonds, sugar and cinnamon in a pan over a moderate heat, adding some chili flakes if you want and a little water.
Stir the mixture all the time with a wooden or silicon heat-resistant spoon.
The sugar will melt and caramelize.
When the caramel is brown and thick, take the pan off the heat and divide the candied almonds between the cupcakes.
(Makes 24)
Photo Description:
These delicious candied almonds topped cupcakes are simple to make and they can be enjoyed as a dessert after dinner or as a snack at any time. Learning how to make candied almonds is very simple and this candied almonds recipe is delicious. Use the chili flakes or leave them out - it is up to you. These cupcakes keep well in an airtight container for a few days. If you are looking for an unusual Mexican dessert recipe, you will love the combined flavors of vanilla and almonds in this recipe and the wonderfully soft cupcakes with the crunchy nut topping.
