A California native, the nuts of the Bay Laurel tree are a rare culinary treat. Once roasted, their flavor evokes equal parts coffee and dark chocolate, and they have a mild stimulating effect, resemblant of caffeine. They must first be removed from their thin shells, then roasted at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are the color of milk chocolate.
Bay nuts are excellent baked into chocolate chip cookies, cooked into a mole, any type of creative desserts, or even ground and brewed like coffee.