Chocolate Candied Nuts

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 cups roasted pecan halves, almonds, or a combination of nuts

Steps

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Combine the brown sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, vanilla, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir until blended. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is bubbling, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in the nuts and cook, stirring constantly, until the nuts are evenly coated with the sauce and the sugar has caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes (don’t rush this step, otherwise the sugar won’t harden later and the nuts will be sticky). Keep stirring so the mixture doesn’t burn.
4. Working quickly, scrape the candied nuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a single layer. Sprinkle a touch more salt on top before the nuts dry. Allow the nuts to cool down until they are no longer sticky, and then break them up into pieces before serving.