Adult help needed.
Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper for the nuts to cool on when they are done.
Combine sugar, water, butter and cocoa powder in a wok or 8- to 10-inch nonstick pot. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the peanuts as soon as the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a simmer, turning down the heat to medium low.
Keep simmering at this temperature, stirring occasionally, until the syrup begins thickening, about 10 minutes.
The next four steps require special attention: When the mixture thickens, begin stirring constantly. The sugar should crystalize and will look like wet sand before becoming crumbly and dry. The now-powdery sugar mixture should evenly coat the peanuts as you stir.
Add in salt, continuing to stir over medium-low heat for a few more minutes.
Waiting only until all the peanuts have some sticky spots (not until the sugar liquefies completely), add the roasted sesame seeds and evenly coat the peanuts.
As soon as the peanuts are covered enough with sesame seeds, turn off the heat and spread the caramelized nuts on your baking sheet to cool.
Let nuts cool completely. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper for the nuts to cool on when they are done.
Combine sugar, water, butter and cocoa powder in a wok or 8- to 10-inch nonstick pot. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the peanuts as soon as the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a simmer, turning down the heat to medium low.
Keep simmering at this temperature, stirring occasionally, until the syrup begins thickening, about 10 minutes.
The next four steps require special attention: When the mixture thickens, begin stirring constantly. The sugar should crystalize and will look like wet sand before becoming crumbly and dry. The now-powdery sugar mixture should evenly coat the peanuts as you stir.
Add in salt, continuing to stir over medium-low heat for a few more minutes.
Waiting only until all the peanuts have some sticky spots (not until the sugar liquefies completely), add the roasted sesame seeds and evenly coat the peanuts.
As soon as the peanuts are covered enough with sesame seeds, turn off the heat and spread the caramelized nuts on your baking sheet to cool.
Let nuts cool completely. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature.
