Almond Dragees
Almond Dragees are crunchy, caramelized almonds tossed in chocolate, then dusted with cocoa powder or powdered sugar. They’re gluten and dairy free!
**This post was updated with new photos, text and recipe in May 2019.
Almond dragees are the most unassuming, yet highly addictive treats I’ve ever eaten.
They aren’t very eye-catching as they’re brown and bumpy, but don’t let these little gems fool you. 🙂
Just one of these caramel coated, chocolate dipped, cocoa dusted almonds will have you reaching for more.
A lot more.
See my other Candy recipes.
Almond Dragees
Before cooking school, I never knew what almond drageés were. I’d heard of silver drageés, but they’re not the same at all. I’ll get into those a bit more below.
We made this recipe for almond dragees for our cooking school Christmas party, and that was the first time I’d ever tried them.
Some were dusted in powdered sugar, and some with cocoa powder. I was lucky enough to get to take some home, and I loved them more than most of the other treats we served at the party.
In fact, I hid them from the rest of family. No shame!
What are almond dragees?
Almond dragees are toasted almonds coated in a hard, caramelized sugar coating. They’re tossed in chocolate, then dusted with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.
Maybe you’ve seen hazelnut dragees in candy stores before? They’re amazing as well.
Of course, almond dragees aren’t to be confused with silver dragees, which are used to decorate cakes, pies and cookies.
How to make almond dragees
These are really easy to make, but there’s a little elbow grease involved. You may not want to do an upper body workout the day you make these. 🙂
- First, stir the water and sugar together in large pan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, then bring to a boil.
- Add the almonds and cook over high heat, stirring constantly until all of the water evaporates, and the sugar becomes sandy. Reduce the heat to medium, and continue cooking and stirring until the crystallized sugar melts and caramelizes. As the sugar melts, it will coat the almonds.
- Once the almonds are caramelized, immediately pour onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Allow to cool, then break apart and place in the freezer while you melt the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in a heat proof bowl over simmering water. Place the almonds in a bowl and pour 1/3 of the chocolate over them, stirring until coated. Repeat in two more additions, allowing the chocolate to harden between each addition, and breaking up any clusters that form.
- Toss with cocoa powder and try not to eat every last one.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- Almond dragees keep well in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Dragees may be coated in the same amount of powdered sugar if you prefer that over cocoa powder.
- Hazelnuts are a great substitution for almonds!
More chocolate recipes you’ll love:
Dark chocolate fruit and nut clusters
Chocolate truffles by the Kitchn
Salted caramel chocolate truffles
Almond Dragees
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups whole raw almonds
- 8 ounces dark chocolate dairy free or regular
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- In a medium pan, stir the sugar with the water over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, and bring to a boil. Increase the heat to high and add the almonds, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. During this process, you're crystallizing the sugar and toasting the almonds. Continue cooking until all of the water evaporates and the sugar becomes very sandy.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and continue to stir until the crystallized sugar begins to melt and caramelize. As the sugar melts, it will begin to coat the almonds. When the nuts are caramelized, immediately pour out onto the prepared pan and spread in a single layer and cool. Once the nuts are cool, place in the freezer while you melt the chocolate.
- Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water and melt until smooth.
- Remove the almonds from the freezer and break up any nuts that are stuck together. Place the almonds in a bowl and pour 1/3 of the melted chocolate over the nuts and stir immediately. Repeat in two more additions, allowing each addition of chocolate to become firm and break up any clusters before adding more. The almonds will appear dry and chalky at this point.
- Sift the cocoa powder or powdered sugar over the almonds and stir to coat completely. If you're using powdered sugar, make sure the almonds are in a clean bowl before dusting. Enjoy!
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Tante Marie Cooking School, San Francisco, CA.
- Almond dragees keep well in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Dragees may be coated in the same amount of powdered sugar if you prefer that over cocoa powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
44 Comments on “Almond Dragees”
Woah, did you say almonds dip in caramel and double chocolate? I’m willing to sacrifice a little elbow grease to make these beauties. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to stop eating them though.
The elbow grease is worth it, but it was really hard to stay away from them. They were calling my name at all times! Thanks, Ahsley. 🙂
Yessss I could easily eat an entire bowl of these! Nuts like this are my favorite! And with all that chocolate … I love it! We’re snowed in today (more like iced in .. crazy) and I think I have everything to make these….
These almonds are deadly I tell ya, but what a great way to go. ha These would be a great snowy-day-before-Valentine’s treat to make. Have a great day in, Ashley! 🙂
This sounds like such an awesome and tasty snack Marcie! These would be a hit at my house for sure 🙂 I love almonds and would not be able to stop munching on these candied ones – they sound so good with the chocolate and cocoa powder!
Thank you, Kelly! They’re great with powdered sugar too, but I do prefer the cocoa powder. That bitterness combined with the toasted almonds and sweet candy makes them even more tasty. 🙂
I swear, I’d eat the entire bowl. These look SO good!
I almost did. Haha. Thanks, Dorothy!
Caramel and cocoa coated almonds? I have self control issues with almonds and peanuts, etc. as it is – this recipe is amazing, Marcie! Pinned!
I have self control issues with plain nuts, too, so these take a lot of willpower! They’re the perfect mix of crunchy, toasty, sweet, and a little bitter. Thanks, Mary Frances!
These sound amazing. I can see why you couldn’t stop eating them. I’d definitely have to give them away as gifts, myself, or end up eating the entire batch. Yum!
I will definite have to make myself give more away next time. Thanks, Nicole!
I know I’d go crazy for these little chocolaty almond bites, Marcie! They look so delicious!
Thank you, Georgia! I’m completely hooked on these.
Ok Marcie – here’s how this goes down. If YOU think they look lumpy, bumpy and downright strange, then BY ALL MEANS GIRL, put them in your mouth so you can’t see them – then crunch them and swallow them so they’re hidden forever! EAT ALL OF THEM! For me, they are lovely little morsels to be enjoyed and treasured (away from everyone), so I’m going to put them in my mouth so that no-one can see them – then crunch them and swallow them so they are hidden (and treasured) forever! EAT ALL OF THEM – DECADENCE! I am happy. Pinning!
I know they look strange to people that have never said them, but I couldn’t care less about how they look! They’re just too good, and I really can’t believe it took me this long in life to discover them. If you make them Kristi, savor every bite. Ha
Jamie, it’s so good to hear from you, and I hope you’re doing well! Yes, the arm workout helps to burn off the almonds you will happily consume.
Okay seriously, this recipe has basically all of my favorite things! I’d never even heard of almond dragees, gosh these sound AWESOME!
I’d never heard of them before either, Chelsea, but now I see them all over in bakeries, ice cream shops, etc. with other candies. They’re just incredible and I hope you get to give them a try!
I see them all over now in candy shops, etc! It’s like, where have I been? Haha. Thanks, Meghan!
This looks amazing!!
Thank you, Ashley! Happy Valentine’s Day. 🙂
These almonds look amazing Marcie! I’ve been snacking on a can of Jalapeno Smokehouse Almonds and these look like a wonderful change up from spicy almonds. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love spicy nuts also — these are a nice change of pace when you’ve got a sweet tooth for sure. Thanks, Christin, and I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Marcie, I’m warned but I don’t care 🙂 These look amazing and I’m sure so delicious. I love the sweet/nut combo… yum!
Here I am warning everybody and I sincerely plan to make these more often. I find myself craving them constantly! Thanks, Deb. 🙂
Oh yes! I could go through a bowl of these with no problem! Pinned!
I think I did just that. haha Thanks, Trish! 🙂
My husband just bought the biggest bag of almonds and I’ve been wondering what to do with them all. Almond dragees! Of course!
That’s the perfect thing to do with them, Maureen! Have a great weekend. 🙂
YUP, that’s exactly how I felt! Thank you, Consuelo, and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Marcie, I’m in love with these almonds! Funny thing is, I only eat almonds that are all sweetened up like this. I’m going to have to make this!
Ummm, I’m pretty sure I would eat the whole bowl!! Those could definitely be dangerous. 😉
They’re very dangerous, Lisa! Don’t let them fool you. haha Have a great Sunday! 🙂
these are simply great!
Thank you, Sarah! Have a great weekend. 🙂
I have never heard of these but they sound so addicting. I love almonds so dusting them with cocoa and cooking with caramel and chocolate just guarantees I will devour these.
Thanks, Zainab…it sure worked for me! 🙂
these look amazing and I know for sure I would eat the whole bowl 🙂 Checking these out from the marvelous mondays link party and I pinned these great looking nuts!
Cathy
These almonds are really hard to walk away from! Thank you for stopping by, Cathy!
These are definitely my kind of almond!! 🙂
Thank you, Jocelyn! 🙂
These look SO delicious and I love that they are made with so few ingredients!!
Thank you, Cathy! Some of the best things in life are made with only a couple of ingredients for sure. 🙂