The pralined hazelnuts are a delicious variant of the famous sugared almonds. These sweet snacks are generally prepared during the Christmas period, along with other typical holiday treats. They are simply hazelnuts toasted in a pan with sugar. With heat, the sugar melts, coating the hazelnuts with a crunchy shell.
It’s a really easy recipe to prepare, but above all fast. In just a few minutes you will have delicious sugared hazelnuts, ready to serve alongside cartellate, calzoncelli, ground almonds, nougat or pettole with vincotto. Be warned: it will be really difficult to stop in front of their incredible taste and crunchiness. They are irresistible! Usually, they are placed on the table at the end of the meal with the rest of the nuts, when everyone starts playing cards or bingo.
As I mentioned, this is a very simple recipe. It requires only a few ingredients and a few tools to make. The only thing you need to be careful of is the timing of removing the hazelnuts from the heat. The sugar, during cooking, melts and solidifies. If you miss the right moment to remove them from the heat, you risk melting the sugar again and ruining the final result. Don’t worry, though, because it’s very easy to understand when to stop.
Throughout the preparation time, it is necessary to stay by the pan to stir continuously. It’s just a few minutes, but it’s truly worth it.
Well, now let’s see how to prepare these delicious pralined or sugared hazelnuts. But first, I’ll leave you with some other collection links that might interest you during the Christmas period!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 6 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian Regional
- Region: Apulia
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter, Christmas
- Energy 234.73 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 24.74 (g) of which sugars 20.80 (g)
- Proteins 4.01 (g)
- Fat 15.28 (g) of which saturated 1.23 (g)of which unsaturated 13.30 (g)
- Fibers 3.00 (g)
- Sodium 0.81 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 51 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients to Prepare Pralined Hazelnuts
- 1 cup whole, peeled hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Tools to Prepare Pralined Hazelnuts
- Pan non-stick with thick bottom
- Wooden Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Parchment Paper
- Jar glass
Steps to Prepare Pralined Hazelnuts.
Let’s go through the various steps to prepare these delicious caramelized hazelnuts.
Before starting, prepare a cutting board on which you will lay a piece of parchment paper: you will need it to place the hot hazelnuts once they are ready.In a thick-bottomed non-stick pan (you can use one of 10-11 inches), add the whole, peeled hazelnuts, sugar, water, and half teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa.
Turn the heat to the lowest setting and start stirring the ingredients with a wooden spoon. As I mentioned, it is very important to stir with the spoon throughout the preparation time.
After a few minutes, you will start to see the sugar dissolving. Continue stirring to evenly distribute it on the hazelnuts.
After a couple of minutes, you will see the sugar solidifying again. This is a very important step, as it is the moment when the sugar sticks to the hazelnuts. Do not stop stirring.
Shortly after, the sugar will start to melt again. Stir for a few more seconds. When you see that the sugar around the hazelnuts starts to caramelize (you’ll notice it because it becomes glossy), it’s time to quickly remove them from the heat. Pour them onto the parchment paper.
Space the pralined hazelnuts apart and let them cool completely before tasting.
Once they are cool, store them in a container with a lid or a glass jar.
Your pralined, sugared, or caramelized hazelnuts are ready to be enjoyed in all their goodness!
Storage:
– Pralined hazelnuts can be stored well for several days in a tightly closed container, although a glass jar is preferable as it better preserves the crunchiness of the hazelnuts.
– Keep them away from heat and humidity, as they risk becoming soft or rancid.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Why is cocoa added to sugared hazelnuts and almonds?
Cocoa gives a nice color to the sugar and also enhances the flavor. If you prefer, you can omit it.
Can I use other types of nuts?
Absolutely, you can also make sugared almonds, peanuts, or cashews. You can even create a mix of nuts to make the preparation even more delicious.
How do I clean the pan from caramelized sugar after preparing the sugared hazelnuts?
Fill it with a bit of water, put it back on the stove and bring it to a boil. This way, the caramelized and hardened sugar in the pan will dissolve, and you can clean it without any problems.
