Roasted almonds Dubai style – an oriental-chocolate twist on the Christmas classic! With pistachio cream, kadayif, and a touch of Arabian Nights, every almond becomes a highlight.

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I first came across these Dubai-style chocolate-covered roasted almonds when I recently strolled through the Christmas market. Among all the classic Christmas treats like mulled wine, gingerbread, and roasted almonds, one stall caught my eye, offering something truly special: an oriental version of roasted almonds, chocolatey, luxurious, and refined with a touch of Arabian Nights.

This is what you can expect in this recipe

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Roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style, like at the Christmas market

Back home, the thought of this delicacy wouldn't leave me. Why not try what I had discovered there myself? As a fan of exotic creations like Dubai chocolate bananas, Dubai Tiramisu and Dubai Crossies I really wanted to create my own version of roasted almonds in the Dubai chocolate style, and so my experiment began. My partner in crime, Aleks, was Kama, and he also had the idea and created his own version as well. Dubai-style version with dark chocolate made, just as delicious and with a tart note that perfectly complements the oriental flavors.

What do the roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style taste like? 

When I tasted my first almonds, it was as if I had combined the Christmas markets of Germany and the spice markets of Dubai into one small delicacy. The first bite was sweet and crunchy, the white chocolate melted delicately on the tongue, and then the subtle aromas of cinnamon, tahini, and pistachio came through.

The kadayif chocolates gave an exciting crunch, and the gold dust made the almonds almost too beautiful to eat—almost. With a plate of these Dubai-style roasted almonds in hand, I sat by the window and watched the snowflakes. Christmas had suddenly become a little more magical.

Step-by-step instructions for preparation

 I put on my apron and got started. It felt like a small, roasted almond-shaped chocolate Christmas ritual in Dubai.

1. First, I mixed sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla sugar in a stainless steel pan. I added the water and brought it to a boil without stirring. Then I added the almonds and stirred constantly as the kitchen filled with the aroma of caramelizing sugar.
2. The magic happened when the sugar dried and coated the almonds in golden crusts. I turned down the heat and continued stirring until the almonds were glossy. Then I poured them onto a baking sheet and gently pulled them apart to cool.
3. While the almonds cooled, I slowly melted the white chocolate in a double boiler. I dipped the almonds in the chocolate, rolled them in crumbled kadayif, and let them dry on a wire rack.
4. Finally, I dabbed small dollops of pistachio cream and tahini onto the roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style and sprinkled edible gold dust over them.

Roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style

Roasted almonds Dubai style – an oriental-chocolate twist on the Christmas classic! With pistachio cream, kadayif, and a touch of Arabian Nights, every almond becomes a highlight.

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Portions: 4 portions

• 200 g almonds unpeeled
• 200 g sugar
• 100 ml Water
• 1/2 TL Cinnamon
• 1 parcel vanilla sugar
• 150 g white chocolate
• 60 g Kadayif Turkish angel hair pasta, or alternatively, fine vermicelli.
• 4 EL pistachio cream
• 1 EL Tahini Sesame paste
• something Edible gold dust optional, for decoration

Preparation:

Caramelized almonds

• Mix sugar, vanilla sugar and cinnamon in a pan. Add water and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat without stirring.
• Add the almonds and continue cooking on high, stirring constantly, until the water has evaporated and the sugar has dried.
• Reduce the temperature to medium and continue stirring until the sugar melts slightly and the almonds are shiny.
• Place the almonds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pull them apart with two forks and let them cool completely.

Crispy coating

• While the almonds cool, gently melt the white chocolate in a water bath.
• Crumble the kadayif into small pieces and lightly toast them in a pan to make them extra crispy.
• Dip each almond individually into the melted white chocolate, then roll it in the crumbled kadayif. Place on a wire rack or parchment paper and let the chocolate harden.

Refinement with an oriental touch

• Using a small spoon or a piping bag, place small dollops of pistachio cream and tahini onto the almonds.
• For a glamorous touch: Dust the almonds with edible gold dust.

Serve

• The Dubai-style roasted almonds are perfect as a Christmas gift, as a snack on the couch, or as a highlight on the festive table.

large 100

Calories: 220 kcal

Have you tried this recipe yet?

I’d love to see how yours turned out! If you share a photo, tag me @sonntagsistkaffeezeit or use #sonntagsistkaffeezeit. Let me know how you liked it in the comments. I’d love to hear what you think. Thank you so much! ❤️

5 tips for perfect roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style

1. Patience while caramelizing: Let the sugar melt slowly – this gives the almonds the perfect crust.
2. Quality of ingredients: Use high-quality white chocolate and fresh almonds for a better result.
3. Keep kadayif crisp: Lightly toast the angel hair before use to give it more bite.
4. Harmonizing aromas: Use pistachio cream and tahini sparingly so that the almonds don't become too sweet.
5. Decoration: The gold dust is the finishing touch – it turns the roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style into a small work of art.

One bite of roasted almonds in Dubai chocolate style and you're already in Dubai!

The taste of these almonds is a true delight: the crisp sugar coating meets the delicate sweetness of white chocolate, while pistachio cream and tahini add a distinctive oriental touch. The kadayif provides the perfect crunch, and the gold dust makes them a real eye-catcher, ideal for Christmas or as a special gift. Try these Dubai-style roasted almonds and bring a little bit of Dubai to your holiday season!

The best thing about this recipe is

In conclusion, all that remains to be said is: Roasted almonds in Dubai style are not only a true delight, but also an invitation to experience Christmas in a whole new way.. They combine the familiar aromas of cinnamon and caramel with the exotic flavors of 1001 Nights. Whether with white chocolate and kadayif or Aleks‘ version with bittersweet dark chocolate, each almond is a small work of art that warms the soul and delights the palate.

The best thing about this recipe is its versatility. You can adapt it to your heart's content, adding or varying ingredients to give it your own personal touch. With a dusting of gold leaf, it even becomes a luxurious gift that will amaze anyone who receives it.

These almonds are more than just a treat; they're an experience that combines the magic of Dubai with the coziness of the Christmas season. Whether you enjoy them by candlelight, share them with friends, or simply use them as a sweet highlight on your Christmas plate, they are guaranteed to be an unforgettable part of your holidays.

Try out the recipe and let yourself be enchanted; a little magic in the cold season can never hurt. And who knows? Perhaps these Dubai-style roasted almonds will soon become a regular part of your own Christmas traditions.

Yours, Tina-Maria