Almond Walnut Cranberry Nougat Recipe

Indulge in the exquisite taste of homemade Almond Walnut Cranberry Nougat. This delightful confection is perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying blend of crunchy nuts and chewy cranberries wrapped in a smooth, honey-sweetened nougat. With just a few ingredients, this recipe promises to deliver a gourmet treat that will impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 100 g (3.5 ounces) almonds
• 75 g (2.6 ounces) walnuts
• 75 g (2.6 ounces) cranberries
• 125 g (1/2 cup) sugar
• 125 g (1/3 cup) honey
• 1 egg white

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Almonds

1. Boiling the Almonds: Place the almonds in a small saucepan and cover them with hot water. Bring to a boil and let them cook for 3 minutes.
2. Peeling the Almonds: Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the almonds using a strainer spoon. Transfer them to a small bowl, peel off the skins, and place the peeled almonds on a plate.
3. Toasting the Almonds: Add the peeled almonds to a pan and toast them over low-medium heat for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once toasted, remove from heat and place in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Preparing the Walnuts

1. Toasting the Walnuts: Add the walnuts to a pan and toast them over low-medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Remove from heat and combine with the toasted almonds. Let them cool down. Set aside.

Step 3: Making the Nougat Base

1. Heating the Sugar and Honey: In a small saucepan, heat the sugar and honey over medium flame, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.
2. Preparing the Mold: Spray and brush a mold with oil, then sprinkle with icing sugar. Set aside.

Step 4: Preparing the Egg White

1. Whipping the Egg White: In a large bowl, separate the egg white from the yolk. Using an electric mixer, whip the egg white until it reaches a stiff peak consistency.

Step 5: Combining Syrup and Egg White

1. Testing the Syrup: Once the honey and sugar mixture reaches around 120°C – 130°C (248°F – 266°F) on a candy thermometer, remove it from the heat. Let the syrup cool down slightly for about 3 minutes.
2. Incorporating the Egg White: Gradually add the whipped egg white into the syrup, beating with a spatula and then a whisk until fully incorporated.
3. Cooking the Mixture: Place the egg white and syrup mixture back on low heat and beat continuously until it becomes thick and glossy, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 6: Adding Nuts and Cranberries

1. Folding in the Nuts and Cranberries: Remove the mixture from the heat, add the toasted almonds, walnuts, and cranberries, and fold them in until evenly distributed.

Step 7: Setting the Nougat

1. Pouring into Mold: Pour the nougat mixture into the prepared mold and spread it evenly using a spatula.
2. Cooling and Setting: Allow the nougat to cool and set at room temperature for a few hours or until firm. Once set, remove it from the mold and place it on a cutting board.

Step 8: Cutting and Serving

1. Cutting the Nougat: Cut the nougat into rectangular bars. For smooth slices, dip your knife in hot water before slicing.
2. Decorating: Optionally, you can dust the nougat bars with additional icing sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.

Notes

• High-Quality Ingredients: To achieve the best flavor and texture, use fresh almonds, walnuts, and cranberries.
• Pre-Toasted Nuts: You can use already blanched and toasted almonds to save time.
• Flavorful Honey: Choose a high-quality honey with a unique flavor profile, such as floral, fruity, or earthy, to add complexity to your nougat.
• Complete Setting: Ensure the nougat sets completely before cutting into bars.
• Storage: Store the nougat in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge to keep it fresh.
• Gift Idea: Wrap individual nougat bars in decorative paper and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 248 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Sodium: 8 mg
• Potassium: 155 mg
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 30 g
• Vitamin A: 8 IU
• Vitamin C: 2 mg
• Calcium: 45 mg
• Iron: 1 mg

Conclusion

Our Almond Walnut Cranberry Nougat is a delightful blend of nuts and fruit, wrapped in a honey-sweetened, egg-white-based nougat. This easy-to-make recipe promises a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether enjoyed as a snack or given as a gift, this nougat is sure to impress with its rich taste and satisfying crunch.