About the Recipe
The holidays are filled with nuts, chocolate and sweet baking. It's a cozy time spent with friends and family. One of my favorite sweet treats this time of year is candied nuts. So simple to make and so delicious. It is one of those dangerous snacks that you can't stop eating (I go nuts for nuts. Haha.) But seriously, there is just something about the crystalized sugar texture with the creamy texture of the nuts. Whether, they are pecans, almonds or hazelnuts, you can do so much with them. Add them to your favorite desserts for a next level twist. Sprinkle them onto cakes, ice-cream or even chocolate mousse. From serving these goodies as whole nut candies or making them into smoother wafer candy tiles. This easy praline recipe is one to try!
If you want to keep the nuts whole, simply keep the nuts intact instead of pulverizing into flour.
Ingredients
3/4 cups Nuts (Almonds, Pecans, Hazelnuts etc.)
1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Butter
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Preparation
You can either use individual nut flours for this recipe or use whole nuts. If you do not have access to individual nut flours, you can use a food processor to make your own. To make it, simply put nuts in a food processor and pulverize until you obtain a flour-like consistency. Add in salt and mix until combined.
In a small saucepan, prepare your sugar syrup by heating the sugar over low heat. Stirring often until there are no more visible sugar granules.
Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the butter. Be careful, the sugar will be very hot. When you mix in the butter, it will bubble. Keep stirring until the butter has melted and is well incorporated. The mixture will become translucent.
Next, stir in the nut flour mixture. The mixture will slowly become more opaque. Keep stirring until everything is well incorporated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon rounds of your hot praline mixture onto the baking sheet (be careful not to touch the syrup, it will be very hot). The size of your dollops will depend on your cooking project.
Let cool and harden. Enjoy!
If ever you want to reheat the praline so that it is pliable, either put your saucepan back onto the stove on low heat or put your baking sheet into the oven at 300F for 1-2 minutes. Use caution when handling.
