So for a while now I’ve been getting requests at work for a certain type of brownies I made a month or so — Marbled Chocolate Almond Brownies.  Almonds are really the star of these brownies: the almond butter in the batter, the hint of almond extract, and the chocolate almond spread that swirls gorgeously throughought it all.

Without a doubt, this recipe depends on the Chocolate Almond Spread in the marble.  Today, I’m posting the recipe just for the spread, which tastes great on toast too! In a few days, I’ll get around to posting the actual brownie recipe.

Trust me, this spread is amazing.  It’s like an almond version of Nutella, but it tastes much more… natural and is probably much healthier for you.

Look at those beauties, waitin' for the oven.

I recommend you toast your almonds before you start and use unsalted ones.  The toasting is not that hard, only takes about 6 minutes, and really enhances the nutty flavour.

About to go under the knife.

So, without further ado, my Chocolate Almond Spread!

Really under the grinder.

Chocolate Almond Spread

Ingredients:

2 cups almonds, toasted
¼ cup cocoa
1 cup icing sugar
½ cup oil

Directions:

1.    Preheat oven to 400F Spread out the almonds (if untoasted) on a metal baking sheet in a single layer. Place in oven for around 3 min. Open and stir the nuts around.   Cook for another 3 minutes.  By this point the nuts should smell fragrant and their flavour intensified, but not burnt. Let almonds cool.
2.    Put almonds in food processor and puree until the almonds form a stiff ball.  This may take a few minutes; be patient.
3.    Once a ball is formed, add the icing sugar and cocoa.  Process for another 3 or so minutes, then add the oil.  You made need less than ¼ cup or you may need all of it; I usually end up using the whole ¼ cup.
4.    Keep whirring it around until it has reached a spread like consistency that you’re satisfied with.  If you want a slurpier spread, add a bit more oil.  Use in the brownie recipe, on toast, or if you’re a glutton like me, on a spoon!

Perfect spread on bread or toast.