So one of my family tradition has been going to See's Candies each holiday to get some milk chocolate almonds. We don't reach for the prepackaged nuts and chews and stuff (we hate surprises/and we don't care for probably 90% of the box.) We custom order pounds of this confection along with almond truffles and dark chocolate almonds. It's pretty easy to make, so my mom wondered if I could try to replicate it. I mean the chocolate is not as good.. I will probably mix the dark and milk chocolate together, but it's pretty tasty! I used Guittard melting chips (not chocolate chip morsels!,) basically the finest quality of chocolate that is found at your local stores... ( I got it at CVS and also this awesome cooking store in Napa called Shackford's) these chocolates don't need to be tempered and can be melted in your microwave! This is the same company that most chocolatiers use to make their chocolates. I'm going to figure out ways to make the chocolate flavor pop more, and get rid of the streaks on my chocolates. I also need to figure out how to lightly roast my almonds.... completely roasted almonds had too strong of a flavor, maybe I should just leave them raw?
Tips for making your own chocolate covered nuts:
~ Melt chocolate in small batches if you use your microwave, about one small bowl at a time. Heat in 30 second intervals and stir every time even if it has not started to melt yet (hot spots will be disastrous and your chocolate WILL burn!)
~ Keep heating and stirring until really melted, you should check it every 10 seconds when it is in its final melting stage.
~ Put the nuts into the bowl and coat them evenly. Take a teaspoon full of nuts/chocolate and place onto a non-stick surface. (Mound them if possible)
~ Let them cool completely before handling them, if you get those streaks, steam them a bit, and the streaks will disappear (I think they come back though :/.)
From Left to Right: Milk chocolate covered roasted almonds with peppermint dust, plain chocolate covered almonds, and chocolate covered pistachios
I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner! : /
Plans for baking tonight: cake or cookie balls (my sis is making cake balls now..,) more peppermint bark (I gave it all away.. and I've been having a HUGE craving for chocolate .. if you can't tell haha,) and... apple pie.
Tips for making your own chocolate covered nuts:
~ Melt chocolate in small batches if you use your microwave, about one small bowl at a time. Heat in 30 second intervals and stir every time even if it has not started to melt yet (hot spots will be disastrous and your chocolate WILL burn!)
~ Keep heating and stirring until really melted, you should check it every 10 seconds when it is in its final melting stage.
~ Put the nuts into the bowl and coat them evenly. Take a teaspoon full of nuts/chocolate and place onto a non-stick surface. (Mound them if possible)
~ Let them cool completely before handling them, if you get those streaks, steam them a bit, and the streaks will disappear (I think they come back though :/.)
From Left to Right: Milk chocolate covered roasted almonds with peppermint dust, plain chocolate covered almonds, and chocolate covered pistachiosI can't believe Christmas is right around the corner! : /
Plans for baking tonight: cake or cookie balls (my sis is making cake balls now..,) more peppermint bark (I gave it all away.. and I've been having a HUGE craving for chocolate .. if you can't tell haha,) and... apple pie.
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