Cranberry, Pistachio and Almond Nougat

Nougat is always a safe Christmas gift or a last minute one, if you are like me!

Nougat is really simple to make, and I do not know why I have not tried it sooner. The only piece of special equipment you really need is a candy thermometer – which really is a baker’s essential. If you do not have one, now is a great time to hint for that Christmas gift!

The texture of nougat ranges from soft to firm, and is dependent on how high you heat the sugar syrup. This recipe is firm enough to be cut, but still maintains some of the chew you want.

I love the green hues from the pistachio and the red from the cranberries which add a wonderful festive feel as well as good textural contrast and flavours to the nougat.

If you make this recipe, please share it with me by tagging me on Instagram @adventureswithsugar or on Facebook at Adventures with Sugar.

I have adapted this recipe from Sweet by Yotam Ottoelnghi and Helen Goh.

CRANBERRY, PISTACHIO AND ALMOND NOUGAT

• 2 Sheets of edible rice paper (31 * 23cm)
• 150g raw almonds
• 150g pistachios
• 150g cranberries
• 300g caster sugar
• 200ml water
• 200g liquid glucose
• 50g golden syrup
• 50g honey
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 90g egg whites (from, 3 large eggs)

METHOD

1. Line the base of a 20cm square tin with baking paper and grease the edges of the tin. Lay a sheet of rice paper, cut to fit the tin, on top of the baking paper. Then set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees celcius and roast the nuts on a baking tray for about 8 – 10 minutes.
3. Turn the oven off and leave the door slightly ajar but leave the nuts in until you are ready to mix into the nougat. The mix will seize up if the nuts are added cold.
4. In a medium size pot, combine the sugar, water, glucose, golden syrup, honey, vanilla essence and salt and whisk to combine.
5. Place the pot over a medium heat and let the mix simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook the syrup for 10 -15 minutes, until the temperature on sugar thermometer is close to 116 degrees celcius.
6. At this stage, place the egg whites in a bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment and whisk on medium speed to form soft peaks.
7. When the temperature on the reaches 121 degrees celcius, pour half of the syrup into the egg whites in a steady stream. Continue to whisk on a steady speed and return the remaining syrup to the stove.
8. Continue to simmer the remaining syrup until it reaches 145 degrees celcius.
9. Pour the syrup into the egg white mixture in a steady stream, all the time whisking.
10. Continue to whisk for another 6 – 8 minutes until you have a thick, ribbon like consistency.
11. Using a metal spoon, fold through the nuts and cranberries. Place into the lined tin and even out with an offset spatula.
12. Cover the top with more rice paper and press down firmly to remove air bubbles.
13. Set aside overnight to set. Then run a hot knife along the sides to remove from the tin. Cut as desired.

Recipe by adventureswithsugar.com