Quick and Easy Nougat Recipe: No Condensed Milk, No Honey, No Chocolate
Ingredients:
- For the Nougat:
- 3/4 cup water (150 ml)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar (300 g)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 tsp liquid vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups milk powder (200 g)
- 1/2 cup roasted pistachios (80 g), chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted almonds (40 g), chopped
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan:
- Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This will make it easier to remove the nougat once it’s set.
2. Cook the Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Once dissolved, increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil without stirring until it reaches the soft-ball stage (about 115°C or 240°F on a candy thermometer). This stage ensures that the nougat will have the right texture.
3. Prepare the Nougat Mixture:
- While the syrup is boiling, melt the butter in a large bowl. Stir in the liquid vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the milk powder to the melted butter, mixing until smooth and well combined.
4. Combine and Mix:
- Once the syrup reaches the soft-ball stage, remove it from the heat. Carefully pour the hot syrup into the milk powder mixture, stirring constantly. Be cautious as the mixture will be very hot.
- Continue to stir until the mixture is well blended and begins to thicken.
5. Add Nuts and Set:
- Fold in the chopped pistachios and almonds until evenly distributed.
- Pour the nougat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
6. Cool and Cut:
- Allow the nougat to cool completely at room temperature, which should take about 2 hours. This will help it set properly.
- Once cooled and firm, lift the nougat out of the dish using the parchment paper and cut into squares or rectangles.
Cooking Tips:
- Candy Thermometer: Using a candy thermometer ensures that the syrup reaches the correct temperature for the perfect nougat texture.
- Mixing: Stir the syrup into the milk powder mixture carefully to avoid splatters, as the syrup will be very hot.
- Cool Completely: Make sure the nougat cools completely before cutting to achieve clean cuts and a firm texture.
Nutritional Benefits:
This nougat recipe incorporates roasted nuts, providing protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. Pistachios and almonds are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins. While the nougat is a sweet treat, enjoying it in moderation can be part of a balanced diet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this nougat for its simplicity and the delightful combination of chewy nougat with crunchy nuts. It’s an easy recipe to follow and doesn’t require special ingredients like condensed milk or honey. The result is a delicious, homemade confection that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own.
Dietary Information:
- Vegetarian-Friendly: This recipe is suitable for vegetarians as it contains no animal products aside from butter.
- Customizable: Feel free to substitute other types of nuts or adjust the amount of nuts based on your preference.