I’ve been thinking about a few things.
First of all, her, and how I wish she was mine.
There are very few things in this life that I would choose over a warm molten chocolate cake, but if it came down to it, a baby pug would be one of them.
Second of all, them.
Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows. I’m currently wrapped around their little fingers while waiting on pins and needles for my next Prison Break DVD to arrive in the mail.
See you soon, boys.
Third of all, these.
I hope you realize how incredible these are. Anything that is ranked in the same category as precious baby pugs and dreamy TV brothers has to be incredible.
I’ve eaten quantities that definitely reverse any health benefits of nuts. But on the flip side, I’ve felt moments of sweet joy watching Michael Scofield break out of prison, while snuggling with my husband and imaginary pug, while eating fistfuls of maple vanilla almond clusters.
Bliss.
Maple Vanilla Almond Clusters
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
These maple vanilla almond clusters are made from scratch and so addicting! Sweet, sugary, crunchy, and a little salty. Perfect snack!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole almonds
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbs. butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. maple syrup
- 1 tbs. water
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Toast nuts in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes).
- Add water, vanilla, and maple syrup to sugar and stir to combine.
- Add sugar mixture and butter to toasted nuts. Continue to heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the mixture is sticky and no longer runny (about 3 minutes).
- Remove from heat and spread the nuts around in the pan. Let sit for a few minutes in the pan, give another stir and spread the nuts again. Sprinkle with a few shakes of table salt or pinches of sea salt if you like sweet/salty nuts (highly recommended by me)! Let sit for at least 1 hour in the pan or until cool and hardened (the flavor develops as they cool – so make sure you don’t eat them all right away). Break into chunks and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple vanilla almond clusters, almond clusters, vanilla almond granola
And yes, if you click print, you will get a complimentary picture of the baby pug.
You’re welcome.
I don’t love almonds, but I think I could love these, especially tossed in a green salad! Yum, yum! 🙂
These would be great in a salad!
Oh, and I had to laugh. Have you tried printing this recipe? The picture made me laugh. 🙂
Oh my goodness, does it print the pug picture? LOL.
These are my dream come true 🙂
I had you in mind all along… 😉
Ohhhh, nut clusters like this are dangerous. These look SO good!!
Dangerous is right!
This looks like such a great snack to have on hand and perfect for a DVD marathon. Also, that baby pug? Cutest thing ever.
Aw I know. We “babysat” her for a weekend when she was just a wee lil pup and it was the best weekend ever.
These look amazing! Hard to tear my eyes away from the pug!
Aw I know, she was such a doll when she was a puppy! She’s all grown up now, but she’s still pretty cute. 🙂
It’s been my new favorite thing to candy almonds or walnuts to add to salads. But almonds + pecans + maple syrup? Love!
Someone else mentioned putting these on salads, too. Great idea!
I can almost taste these your pictures are so enticing!
Thanks! It wasn’t too hard… they pretty much sell themselves. 🙂
Fat chubby Pug Baby? YES PLEASE! Prison Break Hotties? Yes, and my TV screen has the lip prints to prove it…Nutty, maple-y, nuggets of Yum? Most definitely!
Hahaha! The lip prints. Yes.
What a great fall snack, love it!
I’m loving the already made recipe card! Thank you! 🙂
That pug is so darn cute. It’s one of those pictures that should be on a computer desktop screen just to make you smile. JJ is dog crazy these days and wants a puppy so badly…but our small space is not equipped for a chewing, barking, sweet faced golden retriever…yet. 🙂
Ahh yes! The golden retriever. We will be getting both a pug and a golden retriever… someday… when we live somewhere with lots of space to run. 🙂 Goldens are the best!
My MIL calls almonds the snack of the beautiful people. I think maple vanilla almond clusters are the snack of the beautiful, happy people.
Well, I think they make my soul smile, if nothing else!
Great pics. The puppy is adorable. The nuts look delicious.
Thanks – the puppy is my dream come true!
I wish I could reach through this screen and grab a handful! Yum!!
Wouldn’t that be nice? 🙂
I don’t know what’s made me happier- the baby pug, the thought of using those clusters in a banana split, or the hour I’ve just happily lost reading through the archive of your blog. I love your writing- thank you!
Aw, you are too sweet! Glad you’re liking it! And on a banana split???? I love it!!
Amahhzing. Fancy, sugary, sweet nuts are one of my favorite things…can’t pass up one of those little nut stands for the life of me! Adding to “the list”!
The nut stands get me every time, too. The smell is like a magnet.
Yes, yes, yes! I am a nut fanatic and definitely reverse any health benefits too by overindulging : ) you put maple syrup on them and I’m done, I wouldn’t have any leftover and they would delicious on salad if I wouldn’t eat them all from the pan…I bet a small dash of cayenne for a slight kick would be delish too!
Prison Break – love that show, it too is addictive! And the more adorable pug ever – so sweet!
Oooh, great idea with the dash of cayenne!
Caution: Do not make these on a very humid day. I did that this weekend and ended up with very yummy, but super gooey bowl of nuts that I had to serve with a spoon. (People loved them nonetheless.) Next time, I’ll reduce the liquid to adjust for humidity… BTW, its a sign of a good recipe when it turns out “bad” and everyone still raves about the dish!
Gooey nuts by the spoonful. Sounds pretty good to me! 🙂 Thanks again for the great recipe!
Amazing! I just discovered your blog and love it. Your photography is great!!
This looks so simple yet delicious. Will have to make this asap!
Ok, so please tell me what I did wrong., mine did not come out as clusters and all the sugar etc., stayed on mostly the pecans. So not enough flavor on the almonds. Help I want these to be delicious!