Chocolate Mocha Dusted Almonds

I love to make recipes with nuts. These are chocolaty with a hint of coffee—elegant and addictive! I give them away as gifts; I’ve even made them for wedding favors.

—Annette Scholz, Medaryville, IN

PREP: 20 MIN. + CHILLING • MAKES: 12 SERVINGS

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 cups toasted whole almonds
• ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 3 Tbsp. baking cocoa
• 4 ½ tsp. instant coffee granules

1. 1. Microwave chocolate chips, covered, at 50% power, stirring once or twice, until melted, 3-4 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add almonds; mix until coated.
2. 2. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients. Transfer almonds to sugar mixture; toss to coat evenly. Spread over a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
3. 3. Refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

ABOUT 3 TBSP.: 270 cal., 19g fat (5g sat. fat), 0 chol., 12mg sod., 25g carb. (19g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g pro.

SWEET SECRETS

• Like spice? Add ½ tsp. ground chipotle pepper or chili powder.
• Try this with any kind of nut. Just make sure you toast them first to bring out all their flavor.