Chocolate Almond Dragees

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Good morning! It’s only 9 days until Christmas are you ready? Do you have your presents wrapped? Baking almost done? I have a scrumptious treat for you to make, they are not the most attractive but these tasty treats are highly addicting. 

Almond dragees are toasted almonds, coated in caramelized sugar ,dipped in dark chocolate and then dusted with dark cocoa powder. Dragees are the easiest treat and I think the most delicious of all that I made this year. I hope that you try them.

Chocolate Almond Dragees

2  1/2 cups almonds

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

8 oz. dark chocolate

1/2 cup cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 350. Toast almond until fragrant, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. 

Bring the water and the sugar to a boil in a medium sauce pan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Continue to cook without stirring until a candy thermometer reaches 235, about 3 minutes. 

Add the toasted nuts. Cook the nuts, stirring constantly until the sugar begins to crystallize and forms a thin, sand like coating on the nuts, this should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the nuts onto a parchment lines baking sheet and let cool for 3o minutes. Separate the nuts before they cool. 

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or a heat proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stir constantly until the chocolate is completely melted. 

Sift the nuts to remove some of the extra sugar and then place in a bowl, add the melted chocolate and stir the nuts until they are completely covered. Pour the nuts onto parchment lines paper, again separate the nuts into individual nuts. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. 

Toss the nuts in a bowl with the cocoa powder. Tap off the excess cocoa and place in decorative bags or bowls to enjoy or share with friends and family. 

Have a great day!