Almond nougat is a true treat, combining sweetness with the satisfying crunch of almonds. Roasted almonds add a rich, nutty flavor that gets better with every bite. The harmonious combination of textures and flavors is what makes almond nougat bars so exceptionally good. This nougat takes you right back to joyful holiday moments with each bite.
Almon Nougat (Turron) Recipe
Almon Nougat also known as Turrón in Spanish, is a special Christmas treat in Spain that everyone looks forward to as soon as the holiday season begins. This delightful Spanish nougat comes in so many different types and flavors, but the one everyone loves is the classic almond version.
My recipe for turrón de Alicante is packed with toasted almonds and has an amazing caramel-honey taste. It's a real holiday favorite that's perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Christmas in Spain is something special, strolling through the markets, you might spot a stall selling turrón (the local name for nougat). If you're lucky, the vendor will offer you a piece to try.
The almond nougat is a sweet treat, with a perfect crunch from the toasted almonds. It feels like tasting the essence of Christmas in Spain, a bit of magic wrapped in a bite. Even after the last crumb is gone, the warmth of that first taste stays with you.
I have also made Almond Hazelnut Nougat and Chocolate Almond Nougat that you will find interesting.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Almond Nougat Recipe
- Sweet and Nutty Flavor: Enjoy the perfect blend of honey and sugar’s sweetness with rich, nutty almonds for a satisfying treat.
- Customizable: Adjust the almond quantity, texture (soft, chewy, or hard), and sweetness to suit your taste.
- Make in Advance: Prepare the nougat a few days ahead. Store it at room temperature or in the fridge, ready to serve when you need it.
- Gift-Worthy: Wrap it nicely, and almond nougat becomes a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for any special occasion.
- Perfect for Sharing: Great for enjoying with loved ones and sharing with friends.
- Suitable for Holidays: Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
🧾Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Almond Nougat:
- Almonds: I love using fresh almonds for their rich, nutty flavor. To save time, you can use pre-blanched and toasted almonds. If you have allergies or want a different taste, try pistachios for a unique flavor and vibrant color, hazelnuts for a rich, slightly sweet flavor, or cashews for a milder taste and creamy texture.
- Honey: Honey is essential for sweetness and helps bind the nuts together, giving the nougat its signature crunchy texture.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps form the nougat’s texture.
- Egg White: Use room temperature egg whites. Whipping them into the nougat mix makes it softer, fluffier, and airy.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Almond Nougat
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Roast blanched almonds in a preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Transfer them to a plate, and let them cool a bit.
2. In a small pan, heat the honey and sugar over medium heat, stirring all the time until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble.
3. Take the syrup off the heat when the honey and sugar mixture reaches 110°C to 120°C (230°F to 248°F) on a candy thermometer. Let the syrup cool for about 3 minutes before using.
4. In a large bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
5. Pour the egg white into the syrup little by little, mixing first with a spatula and then with a whisk until the egg white is completely mixed in.
6. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and becomes shiny, it usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Take the pan off the stove, add in the almonds, and gently mix until they're spread evenly
8. Pour the mixture into the mold, then use a spatula to spread it evenly.
9. Let the nougat cool and become firm at room temperature for a few hours. Once it's firm, remove it from the mold and place it on a cutting board. Cut the nougat into long rectangular pieces.
📖Variations
- Fruits: Dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, cherries, or figs, can be added to create a splash of color.
- Citrus Zest Infusion: Add a touch of citrus flavor to the nougat by incorporating the zest of oranges or lemons, providing a refreshing taste.
- Mixed Nuts: Expand the variety of nuts by combining almonds with alternatives such as hazelnuts, pistachios, or cashews.
- Nut-Free Option: Create a nut-free nougat while maintaining a crisp texture by substituting almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Chocolate: Incorporating a rich layer of chocolate chips or chunks; whether dark, milk, or white, each type contributes to a delightful and distinct variations.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Roast Almonds for Extra Flavor: Boost the nutty goodness by roasting almonds before adding them.
Patience is Key: Take your time with the sugar and honey mixture, letting it slowly reach the soft-ball stage for the perfect consistency.
Slowly Add Egg White: Avoid lumps by gently and consistently whisking the egg white into the sugar syrup gradually.
Allow Proper Setting Time: For best results, let the nougat set completely before cutting—this might take a few hours or overnight.
Use a Sharp Knife: Ensure clean, precise cuts with a well-heated, sharp knife. Dip it in hot water to keep the edges smooth and prevent sticking.
Storage: To keep your almond nougat tasting its best, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Find a cool, dark spot that's dry. It'll stay delicious for up to two weeks.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Nougat is a type of confectionery made primarily from sugar or honey, whipped egg whites, and nuts, often almonds or hazelnuts. It has a soft, chewy texture and is commonly used as a filling in candies like chocolate bars or enjoyed on its own in blocks or slices.
Nougat is typically made of sugar or honey, whipped egg whites, and nuts, often almonds or hazelnuts.
Certainly! Explore different nut combinations, such as hazelnuts, pistachios, or cashews, to craft a distinct and personalized flavor profile.
Absolutely! Enhance the flavor spectrum by incorporating citrus zest, spices, or extracts, allowing room for experimentation to craft your own distinctive Almond Nougat.
🍫Brownies & Bars
- Snickers Brownies
- Homemade Brownies
- Brown butter rice crispy treats
- Lemon Squares
- White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Almond Nougat
Ingredients
- 200 g Almonds
- 125 g Honey
- 125 g Sugar
- 1 Egg White
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a small saucepan and cover with hot water. Boil for 3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the almonds with a strainer.
- Place the almonds on a plate, peel and put them in a small bowl.
- Roast the almonds in a preheated oven at 170°C(338°F) for 10-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Remove them from the oven, place them on a plate, and let them cool down.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey and sugar over a medium flame, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.
- Remove the syrup from the heat, once the honey and sugar mixture reaches around 110°C - 120°C(230°F -248°F) on a candy thermometer.
- Let the syrup cool down a little bit for around 3 minutes.
- In a big bowl, separate the egg white from the yolk and use an electric mixer to whip the egg whites until they reach a stiff peak consistency.
- Cook the egg white syrup mixture on low heat and beat continuously until the mixture becomes thick and glossy around 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, add the almonds and fold in until they are evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into the mold and evenly spread it using a spatula.
- Allow the nougat to cool and set at room temperature for a few hours or until it becomes firm. Once set, take it out from the mold and place it on a cutting board.
- Cut the nougat into rectangular bars.
Notes
- Use High-Quality Almonds: For the best taste and texture in your nougat, opt for high-quality and fresh almonds.
- Almonds: To speed up the cooking process, consider utilizing pre-blanched and toasted almonds instead of raw ones.
- Roast Nuts for Flavour: Enhance the nutty flavour of your nougat by roasting the almonds beforehand, providing a more intense almond flavour to your nougat.
- Choose a Good Quality Honey: Elevate your nougat’s taste by selecting a distinctive-flavoured honey. Various honey varieties offer unique whether floral, fruity, or earthy-contributing complexity and richness to your nougat.
- Setting Time: Allow the nougat to fully set before slicing it into bars.
- Storage: Preserve the freshness of your nougat by storing it in a sealed container either at room temperature or in the fridge.
- Cutting: Achieve clean slices by dipping your knife into hot water prior to cutting the nougat.
- Gift Idea: Elevate your handcrafted gift by individually wrapping nougat bars in decorative paper and tying them with a ribbon.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This nougat is fantastic! The perfect balance of chewy sweetness and crunchy almonds. A delightful little treat!