Eatmas, Chownukah, New Grubs Eve. That’s what the holidays should be called. When else do we have plates, platters, and bowls of savory and sweet snacks always readily available? What other holiday is it socially acceptable to give homemade, edible treats? I’m tellin’ ya, the holidays are a foodie’s paradise. And so are these Mexican hot chocolate almonds.
True story, I hoard uniquely-shaped containers all year round JUST to repurpose them for food gifting. Last Christmas I begged my sister for the tube that held her Sephora makeup gift, because I knew, JUST KNEW it would make a perfect container for snickerdoodle cookies. The depths of my visions are REAL. A true artist has no limits my friends!!
My containers get stashed in the back of the pantry, annoying my dear husband and taking up precious food real estate. Then the holidays roll around and I’m inspired! I’m alive! I’m doing what I do best! Eating….errr I mean making foodie gifts for my buds.
Cookies are great, bars are the bomb, but almonds? YES almonds are the ultimate, “Happy holidays! Nuts are healthier and more expensive than baked goods so this gift shows how much you mean to me.” Plus almonds stay fresh for WEEKS. And I’m pretty sure (no, I’m totally sure) almonds love repeated songs from Michael Buble’s Christmas album as much as I do.
A few Christmases ago, I had my first bite of a Mexican hot chocolate brownie. It was the brownie of all brownies. This thing BLEW MY MIND! Now I can’t have a ‘regular’ brownie anymore, it just doesn’t compare. Since then I have been coming up with ways to incorporate cocoa with cinnamon and cayenne in everything. Don’t make the same mistakes I did – the combination doesn’t pair well in salad dressings, margaritas, or chicken noodle soup. But it DOES pair well with almonds. YESSSS!
These Mexican hot chocolate almonds are everything you’ve dreamed of – crunchy almonds, sweet dark chocolate, savory fall spices, a ‘lil heat, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder. The best part? They are a super-duper healthy superfood (did I already say super?). Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, and protein. While dark chocolate is stocked full of antioxidants. Healthy holiday treats CAN be done! Here’s how:
To start, heat two teaspoons coconut oil in a medium saucepan or cast-iron skillet on low. Add the dark chocolate and stir frequently, being very careful not to burn. Once the chocolate is melted, add the almonds and coat evenly.
Note: I used a 72% cocoa dark chocolate bar. This leads to a slightly bittersweet chocolate flavor. If you prefer a sweeter taste, use chocolate with a lower percentage of cocoa.
In a paper grocery bag, combine the cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and sea salt. Next, use a large spoon to scoop the chocolate almonds from the skillet into the grocery bag. Fold the top of the bag a few times until it’s sealed well, using your hands to secure the top. Then vigorously shake the bag for approximately 30 seconds, in order for all the spices and cocoa powder to stick to the almonds.
Next, pour the almonds onto a baking sheet and spread evenly. Sprinkle the additional tablespoon of cocoa powder on the almonds and shake the baking sheet, to coat all the almonds.
Let cool and store in an airtight glass jar.
Not only will you rock at making this easy, sweet treat, but the gift-recipiant will be like, “WOW she bought me gourmet almonds. Now I have to give her something REALLY good!” That’s not what the holidays are about, I know, but it does make you look pretty dang impressive. And I’m all about blowing people’s minds with a minimal amount of effort. Hence why my Christmas tree is pre-lit, my wrapping paper has line guides, and my food containers are converted into the most amazing food-gifting-keeper-contraptions.
PrintMexican Hot Chocolate Almonds
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups almonds
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 1.75 oz dark chocolate
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon for dusting
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (less or more depending on how much heat you like)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in a medium saucepan or cast iron skillet on low.
- Once oil is melted, add the dark chocolate and stir frequently, being careful not to burn.
- Add the almonds and stir to coat evenly.
- In a paper grocery bag, combine the cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and salt.
- Once all the almonds are coated with the dark chocolate, use a large spoon to scoop the almonds from the skillet into the grocery bag.
- Fold the top of the bag a few times until sealed well, using your hands to secure the top. Then vigorously shake the bag for 30 seconds to one minute.
- Pour the almonds on to a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cocoa powder on the almonds and shake the baking sheet to evenly dust all the almonds.
- Let cool then store in an airtight glass jar.
Disclaimer: Please note that there may be some affiliate links on this page and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. However, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support.
This looks so yummy!!
Thank you Kaycee!
I loooooove love homemade almonds and these are no exception. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with chocolate+almonds.
Well, you are the almond EXPERT so you would know!! He he he. Thanks Erin!!
I love Mexican hot chocolate, I have some store bought in my pantry ready for me to use haha! These Mexican hot chocolate almonds look so delicious and a perfect holiday snack 🙂
Hey Ros – well that makes it easy for you! Minimal amount of effort – that’s what I’m all about!! 😉
I just pinned this and am so excited to try it!
Thank you so much for the pin love!!!
These look amazing! My husband would love them!!
You should link this up at our linky party:
http://www.raisingfairiesandknights.com/bloggersspotlight-1/
TWO parties in one! One for blog posts and another for Pinterest Pins, all posts shared to our group Pinterest board.
Thanks Hil!! Will do 🙂
These would be a fantastic gift!!!! Haha and I love the use for all those Trader Joes bags we seem to accumulate 😉
RIGHT?! I have a ton of them. But not for long, they are starting to charge per bag where I live. I should probably bring my own anyway! 😉
That looks awesome! I definitely want to give these a try sometime.
I hope you do! So awesome and seriously a cinch to make! Thanks Alanna!
This is such a creative recipe! They look amazing (and sound amazing too!)
Thank you! Sometimes it’s tough to get creative (so many great ideas out there). I appreciate it Victoria!
These look amazing I’m definitely going to try these very soon yum!
Thanks Ivanna! I hope you love ’em!
Yumm! This sounds so good right now!
So good now, and so good later!! Thanks Kimberly!
OMG- Chrissa!! These look so delicious!!! I used to work at a coffee shop and we made a Mexican spiced mocha drink.. I feel like these are that drink in the form of a snack (or dessert.. whatever you want to call it!!) I can’t wait to try this!
Thank you so much Liz! Mmmm I can smell that Mexican spiced mocha through my screen. There is just something about those flavors, it’s magical!!!
Yum! I am loving Mexican hot chocolate flavors this year.
DITTO. This time of year, and pretty much any time of year 😉
Wow – these look so good. I’ve been looking for a good food gift to give over the holidays – I think I found it!
YAY! Gift away Alyssa. I’m tellin’ ya, peeps will be super impressed with these chocolate nummies!
Mexican chocolate anything is amazing! I love the little spicy kick it has! These almonds look like the most perfect healthy indulgence, I may or may not devour them all!
A girl that knows my inner workings – I had to hide them in the back of my pantry, just to have enough willpower not to eat them all in one sitting!!
I have been wanting to make something with almonds for awhile. I think this is the one! Sounds fabulous!
I think THIS is your recipe! Glad you stumbled across it Willow!
Those sound AMAZING! Whoever makes these for me will be my best friend forever!
★★★★★
Hehehe is that a hint Heather?? 😉
HOLY MOLY these look *so* yummy!!! Might just have to make a batch of these this weekend…my fiance and I would love!
Coming Up Roses
Whoo hoo! Hope you and the fiance love them Erica!
Ok, now THIS is a gift that I’d like to receive! Can you believe that I’ve never had Mexican Hot Chocolate-flavored anything? I know, I haven’t lived!!
WHAT?! Blair! Get with the program! 😉
Oh wow! I love chocolate covered almonds, but this is a recipe I’ve never seen before.
I mean, chocolate covered almonds are the bomb. But the added fall spices just send them OVER THE EDGE! 😉
Oh my gosh – YUM! I definitely am Pinning these 🙂
Thanks Zully!
these look amazing
★★★★★
Thanks Ann! They certainly are!
WOAH. These look insanely delicious and I MUST MAKE THEM NOW. I love mexican chocolate flavored foods and am going to try really hard not to eat them all at once :-/
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! Seriously the self-control factor is a legit problem with these. Thanks Carly!
Chrissa – this sounds amazing! I love cocoa covered almonds and that you incorporated a little kick to these 🙂
Thanks Pragati! Who DOESN’T love chocolate and almonds? I mean, really….
oh my WORD girl! These are amazing and I straight up want to lick all of that melted chocolate. Like for real…get in my mouth. I am totally doing some roasted/coated nuts recipes as well this season, but dang these are incredible!!
Kat, you seriously must be in my brain when I’m making things, because our thought process is the same. I wanted to lick the skillet, like SERIOUSLY thought about it, but didn’t want to burn my tongue. Ugh. Thanks for the sweet comment girl!
” Lover of cooking and hater of spiders “… I think we should be friends! lol I couldn’t agree more on what the Holidays should be called 🙂 Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe over at #Bloggerspotlight, hope to see you again! Pinned!
★★★★★
YES virtual besties!!!! Love that idea Cristina. We share of love of cooking, food, holidays and spiders. Wait, NOT spiders 😉
This would be such a good gift idea for friends!! Last year I made body butter and the year before was lip scrub. Time to change it up!
Love your DIY gifts and I’m so glad I’m your friend!! (hint hint) 😉
These look soo yummy! I definitely want to try these!
Thanks Adriana! I hope you do!!
It’s so reassuring to hear that I’m not the only one that hoards random containers! I hit an all time low when I wouldn’t let my husband throw away a shoe box 🙂 Anyway, your almonds look amazing! What a quick and easy holiday gift!
LOL! A girl after my own heart! I giggled out loud reading your comment. Shoe boxes are very valuable storage pieces!!
This recipe looks amazing!
Can I substitute vegetable oil with coconut oil in the same portion? Thanks!
Yep that should work!