Hazelnut Nougat
Sweet making is a labour of love, requiring precision and a fair amount of time, but your efforts will be sincerely appreciated by anyone lucky enough to receive this divine Hazelnut Nougat.
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INGREDIENTS
- Rice paper
- 2 cups sugar
- 1½ cups glucose
- ¼ cup water
- 2 egg whites
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 cup toasted hazelnuts
METHOD
Line a 19cm heritage dish or baking pan with tin foil and then cover the entire base with rice paper.
Combine the sugar, glucose and water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and then continue to cook until the syrup reaches hard-ball stage at 130˚C. (Use a sugar thermometer to check, or test by dropping a small amount of the sugar syrup into a bowl of cold water and check that it hardens.)
While the sugar syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites in large bowl until stiff peaks form.
When the sugar syrup has reached hard-ball stage, remove it from the heat and, beating constantly, slowly pour approximately a quarter of the mixture into the stiff egg whites. Continue to beat the egg whites until the mixture holds its shape.
Return the saucepan with the remaining sugar syrup to the stove and continue to cook over medium-high heat until the sugar syrup reaches 145˚C.
Beating constantly, slowly pour the remaining sugar syrup into the egg mixture and continue beating until thick and stiff.
Beat in the almond extract and then the softened butter. Continue to beat until the nougat is very thick and satiny. Add the hazelnuts and stir until mixed through.
Carefully spoon the nougat into the prepared dish or pan, spreading it smoothly and evenly. Cover the top with a layer of rice paper. Leave to set overnight at room temperature. Cut into small squares to serve. Store in the refrigerator, individually wrapped in wax paper or clingfilm.
