The classic Christmas nougat is a traditional delight that embodies the festive spirit of the winter season. This exquisite sweet, beloved in many cultures, is often associated with Christmas celebrations in Italy and other parts of the world. Its history is rooted in the past, dating back to ancient times, and today it represents a symbol of generosity and sharing during the holidays.
The preparation of nougat requires mastery and attention to detail, with the right ingredients measured precisely. The base of this dessert often consists of honey and sugar, combined with toasted almonds or hazelnuts to give a crunchy texture and rich flavor. The process involves slow cooking of the ingredients, followed by careful cooling and, finally, shaping the nougat into blocks or bars.
The classic nougat is known for its perfectly balanced texture between the crunchiness of the hazelnuts or almonds and the sweetness of honey, creating a harmony of flavors that delight the palate. It is often presented in festive or decorative packaging, making it not only a delicacy for the taste but also a welcome gift during the Christmas holidays.
Over the years, different regions and families have developed their own variations of nougat, enriching the tradition with unique ingredients or small variations in the preparation method. However, regardless of regional differences, the classic nougat remains a culinary icon of the Christmas holidays, bringing joy and sweetness to the tables of anyone who has the pleasure of savoring it during this special season of the year.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 7 Hours 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients for classic Christmas nougat
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus 2 tsp for beating the egg whites)
- 4 tbsp water
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 vial vanilla
- as needed powdered sugar
- 2 cups toasted hazelnuts
Tools for classic Christmas nougat
- 2 Pans
- 2 Bowls
- 1 Pot
- 1 Loaf Pan
Steps
To prepare the classic Christmas nougat, start by melting and heating the honey to 266°F.
Pour the sugar into a pan,
the water, and
stir, bringing it to a temperature of 293°F.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, pour the egg whites,
the sugar, and
beat until stiff peaks form.
When the honey reaches temperature,
add it slowly to the whipped egg whites while continuing to work with the beaters.
After the honey, start adding the sugar slowly at temperature and
continue to work with the beaters until the egg whites become white again.
Now add the toasted hazelnuts to the mixture and
the vial of vanilla and mix.
Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and let it dry, stirring the mixture over very low heat, almost turned off.
The mixture will be ready when strings form while stirring.
Dust the work surface with powdered sugar,
pour the mixture and
dust again with powdered sugar, it will help to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Form a loaf with your hands and
transfer it to the loaf pan, level it with a spatula.
Let it cool for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature, unmold the nougat, and cut it into bars.
