for christmas my family, as is a tradition by now, got gift baskets with homemade little somethings from my kitchen. per popular demand i made the tomato pasta spice and the fruit energy balls. besides i also made the winterly pralines and caramelized Almonds (which are also in high demand with you guys according to the blog stats). of course i also made some new things like these Chocolate Almonds Deluxe. we used to make them alongside our “normal” christmas cookies – just through some almond slivers in with melted chocolate and form small heaps out of it. for this deluxe version the almonds are first being roasted in the oven, then caramelized with some sugar syrup and then seasond with cinnamon and sea salt. the result is a heavenly small bite from which i just can’t get enough. as usual it doesn’t take much to make them, but is a very nice present from the kitchen.

of course there are quite a few more ideas for presents from the kitchen on the blog if you want to give away homemade joy.

ingredietns (about 30 pieces)

• 50 g zucker
• 200 g almond slivers
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice)
• 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel
• 200 g chocolate

preaheat oven to 220°. line a Baking Tray with baking paper.

in a pot boil 50 ml water with sugar, let boil down for 5 minutes until it is syrupy.

spread almonds on the baking tray and bake in hot oven on 2nd rack from the bottom for 15 min. in the last 3 min pour the syrup on top and mix thoroughly. take the caramalized almonds out of oven and instantly sprinkle with cinnamon and salt, mix thoroughly. the mixture is sticky due to the syrup, but can be formed nicely. let cool down completely.

melt chocolate in a bain marie. line a baking tray with baking paper or aluminum foil. fill the cold almonds in a bowl and mix with melted chocolate. with 2 teaspoons form small heaps and place a bit apart on the baking tray. let firm first a room temperature than in fridge.