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    Home » Mom Life » Candied Almonds Recipe and Gift Idea for Girlfriends

    Published: Dec 26, 2021 · Updated: Dec 26, 2021 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Candied Almonds Recipe and Gift Idea for Girlfriends

    Candied almonds in a glass dish next to recipe cards.

    Gift-giving is my love language, and I’ve figured out the perfect gift idea for my girlfriend this year. I love to gift things that can help her handle stress during the holidays.

    Your friends will love this gift tower idea full of useful things, like Mulino Bianco® Cuoricini Cookies, that they can either re-gift or enjoy themselves.

    This post has been sponsored by Barilla America, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

    Gift tower with heart shaped cookies and holiday decorations.

    This post was originally published on December 1, 2018, and has now been updated.

    To me, useful gifts are the best kind—and gift towers are especially awesome. They are super fun to open since you can’t see what’s inside like you can with a gift basket.

    You can fill them with a variety of small things you know she’ll want to keep for herself to spoil her a little bit. And you can also give her things that she can keep on hand that might come in handy for her during the holiday season.

    One thing I always have on hand at the holidays is a few yummy snacks. Some I buy ready-made and some I make. Mulino Bianco snacks and cookies are perfect for unexpected holiday drop-ins (you know they happen!), home entertaining, and make a great hostess gift if you are invited over to a holiday party.

    I picked up a few bags of the Cuoricini cookies from Albertson’s. I love that you can pick up these premium cookies (you’ll want to check your grocery’s specialty cookie or international aisle!) while tackling the rest of your grocery list.

    I also make something super simple, like these quick Candied Almonds. As with most fast and delicious holiday snacks, people are going to ask you for the recipe. I always have recipe cards ready to go. Candied almonds are a great edible gift to include in this gift tower idea.

    An overhead shot of pine branches and a package with a printable sheet on top of it next to text.

    Easy Candied Almonds Recipe

    This Cinnamon Candied Almonds recipe is super easy to make. They can be made quickly, but I suggest keeping a few batches on hand so you are ready for anything that pops up during the holidays.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for making Candied Almonds.

    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1 TBSP cinnamon (plus any other spices you want to add, like nutmeg or clove)
    • 1/8 tsp salt
    • 2 cups raw almonds

    Instructions

    Candied almonds recipe as part of a gift idea for girlfriends.
    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Add the brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt into a saucepan.
    3. Bring to a boil over low to medium heat.
    4. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly until the liquid evaporates (approximately 5 minutes).
    5. It is ready when the mixture coats the almonds and isn’t drippy.
    6. Watch closely so the candy coating doesn’t burn.
    7. Spread out the almonds in a single layer on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper (they will be clumpy and stick together but try to spread them out as much as possible).
    8. Put in the oven for 10 minutes (check on them at around 7 minutes to make sure they aren’t burning).
    9. Remove and let cool completely.
    10. Break apart any big clumps of candied almonds.
    11. Store in an air-tight container.
    How to make candied almonds to give as a hostess gift.

    Don’t try to multitask while making these. They come together fast and can burn if you aren’t careful. You will know that they are ready when the mixture becomes really thick and syrupy and coats the back of the spatula.

    Cinnamon candied almonds on a sheet pan.

    Roasting the almonds helps to bring out their flavor and helps the candy coating to get really nice and crispy.

    Candied Almonds next to a recipe card for the recipe.

    What I love about this Candied Almonds recipe is that they are delicious and make the perfect holiday snack. They aren’t overly sweet, so they are great when served with a cheese board or on their own. Having the recipe cards ready means less work later.

    You can hand it out instantly when someone asks you for it instead of having to remember to send it to them later. And when you gift the almonds, the recipe card can make a super cute gift tag.

    Gift Tower Gift Idea for Girlfriends

    Useful items to pack in a holiday gift tower for your girlfriends gift.

    This gift tower idea is really one of the best presents you can give your girlfriends. You can get really creative with things that you put in the boxes, but I like to do a mix of things she can use if she wants to or can give as a gift if she needs one.

    Packaging Cinnamon Candied Almonds for a gift tower for your girlfriends.

    I always include a box of the candied almonds. She can snack on them herself, she can serve them to guests, or she can make her own batch to gift to teachers or neighbors. I also include a few of the recipe cards so she has the recipe to use or give if people ask her for it. 

    Putting together a holiday gift tower for your girlfriends.

    These Mulino Bianco Cuoricini cookies are a great gift idea. These adorable heart-shaped cookies are a great compliment to any holiday party. They aren’t overly sweet but are super tasty. (I mean, who doesn’t love a crispy chocolate chip cookie?!) I like to give at least 2 bags.

    These make a great little hostess gift that she can have on hand just in case. But they also go really well with coffee so she could enjoy a bag herself while taking time out of her busy day to enjoy a little me-time.

    Putting items in a gift box for an easy girlfriend gift idea.

    I also like to include a magazine, a seasonal hand towel, and yummy wine. Canned wine is everywhere these days, and they are great for gifting! She can choose to enjoy one for herself or gift them to other friends.

    This gift tower idea is so versatile. She can mix and match the things you’ve given her to gift to other people in a variety of ways. Or she can choose to enjoy it! It’s practical, fun, and will help ease some holiday stress for her.

    Adding a sprig of pine to the top of a gift tower holiday gift idea.

    Of course, you can put this together in one big basket but the gift boxes make it look so much more fun! Plus, she can even reuse the boxes for her own wrapping needs. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving!

    Giving Cookies as a Gift is Awesome!

    Heart shaped Mulino Bainco Cuoricini cookies next to a pine branch and ornament for holiday gift idea.


    Mulino Bianco cookies are perfect for all of your holiday entertaining needs! Along with these super cute shaped cookies, they offer a variety of breadsticks and cookies that kids and adults will love.

    I loved the way these cookies were crispy and airy at the same time. They had a delicious chocolatey flavor without being overly sweet, making them just as perfect for snacking as for a sweet treat to end a meal.

    Mulino Bianco Cuoricini cookies next to holiday ornaments and an Albertson's gift card.

    I was able to find all of these useful gifts, and the ingredients for the Candied Almonds, from my local Albertson’s store. I love that not only can I purchase all my groceries but also discover great finds for entertaining and gift-worthy items!

    These cookies can be found in the specialty cookie aisle. Or you can find them in a store near you using the brand’s Store Locator.

    Girl holding gift tower gift idea for girlfriends.

    This thoughtful gift idea for your girlfriends will really help them out this holiday season. Whether she sneaks some quiet cookie moments for herself or simply handles holiday entertaining with ease, this gift tower is sure to produce a smile!

    Find out more about Mulino Bianco by heading to their website, www.mulinobianco.com.

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at cupcakesandcutlery@gmail.com

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