Make Dragee Nuts

How to make almond and chocolate dragee nuts. This recipe uses almonds and milk chocolate, although you may like to try a different type of nut if preferred and maybe dark chocolate as well.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
 * 1/2 cup water
 * 1 cup sugar
 * 3 tbsp butter
 * Pinch salt
 * 1 bar milk chocolate
 * Cocoa powder (to taste)

Steps

 * 1) Take one cup of whole toasted almonds.
 * 2) Make the syrup. Using a pan, make a dense syrup by mixing half a cup of water with one cup of sugar.
 * 3)  When the syrup is boiling, add the butter and pinch of salt. Mix well.
 * 4)  Take the almonds and cover them with syrup. This is best done by dipping them using a slotted spoon that is able to withstand the heat of the syrup.
 * 5)  Place them  on a sheet pan and let them rest for 10 minutes inside the refrigerator.
 * 6)  Take one bar of milk chocolate and melt it in bain marie (over warm water)  then cover the almonds with the melted chocolate, and  sprinkle cocoa powder on top.
 * 7)  Place in the refrigerator again to set (about half an hour).
 * 8)  Store in a cool, dry place or serve immediately and see if there are any left to store!

Tips

 * The bain marie is a good technique to melt chocolate. Just take a pot with hot water, place it over medium heat, and on top of the pot filled with water, place a bowl with the chocolate. Do not let this bowl touch the water, however. Allow the heat of the water to melt the chocolate gently, preventing it from burning.
 * It is best to line the sheet pan with baking paper to prevent the almonds from sticking to the pan.

Warnings

 * The almonds will be sticky, so spread them apart on the sheet pan and use baking paper or wax paper to prevent sticking to the pan.
 * The boiling sugar syrup is very hot (hotter than plain boiling water) - be very careful not to get any on yourself!

Things You'll Need

 * Sheet pan
 * Baking paper
 * Slotted spoon
 * Saucepan
 * Bain Marie set or substitute saucepan and bowl

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Get an Almond at Its Best
 * How to Make Candied Almonds
 * How to Remove Nuts from Their Skin
 * How to Roast Chestnuts
 * How to Prepare Chestnuts
 * How to Make Healthy Trail Mix