Strawberry Layered Nougat Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Valentine's Day

by: Erin Jeanne McDowell

February4,2019

4.7

3 Ratings

  • Prep time 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Makes 9x9-inch pan

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Author Notes

Candy-making isn't my strongest ability, which is just one of the many reasons why I love nougat. It's easy to make in a variety of ways: short ingredient list and requires only a few pieces of equipment (small pot, an electric mixer with a whip attachment, a working thermometer, and a 9x9 baking pan). Sugar syrup is cooked to the proper temperature, then poured into whipping egg whites. The whites and syrup whip up to together for a fluffy result that's somewhere between meringue and marshmallow. It's firm enough to slice once it's set, but soft enough that it's melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Best of all, you can easily add other ingredients to create different flavors - which makes it perfect for layering to make different combos. It makes a perfect treat for the candy lover in your life (especially if it's yourself). —Erin Jeanne McDowell

  • Test Kitchen-Approved
Ingredients
  • 3 large (106 g) egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups(248 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup(104 g) corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup(56 g) water
  • 1 vanilla bean, scraped
Directions
  1. Grease a 9x9 with nonstick spray (you can use an 8x8 pan too, the nougat will just be thicker). Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment.
  2. Stir the sugar, corn syrup, water, and vanilla bean and its seeds together to combine. Place the pot over medium heat. Stir a few times just to ensure its combined. Once it starts to simmer, stop stirring. (If any sugar has washed up on the sides of the pot, use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash it back into the pot.)
  3. Cook the mixture until it reads 235°F on a thermometer. When it does, start whipping the egg whites in the mixer on medium speed. Continue to cook the sugar syrup to 260°F, then add it to the egg whites in a slow, steady stream.
  4. Once all of the syrup is added, whip for 4 minutes.
  5. Pour into the prepared pan, and smooth into an even layer (I like to grease a small offset spatula with nonstick spray to make the spreading easier). Let cool/set for 3 hours, or up to overnight.
  6. Prepare the second flavor of nougat as directed above. Pour on top of the first layer and smooth into an even layer. Let sit for at least 3 hours, or up to overnight.
  7. Cut into 1x2 inch pieces and wrap in wax paper or cellophane. The pieces will keep for up to 3 months.
  8. FLAVOR VARIATIONS
    Chocolate Nougat: Melt 4 ounces (113 g) unsweetened chocolate, and let cool slightly. Stir in 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (and omit the vanilla bean). Add at the end of step 4, along with ¼ cup (28 g) powdered sugar, whipping just until it’s incorporated – do not overmix.
    Peanut Butter Nougat: Omit the vanilla bean. Add 8 ounces (226 g) smooth peanut butter, 1/3 cup (37 g) powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract at the end of step 4, whipping just until it’s incorporated – do not overmix.
    Strawberry Nougat: Pulse 1 ½ ounces (35 g) freeze dried strawberries and ¼ cup (28 g) powdered sugar in a food processor until they form a fine powder. Add this mixture at the end of step 4, whipping just until it’s incorporated – do not overmix. (I like to leave the vanilla bean in!)

Tags:

  • Candy
  • American
  • Valentine's Day
  • Dessert

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Erin Jeanne McDowell

I always have three kinds of hot sauce in my purse. I have a soft spot for making people their favorite dessert, especially if it's wrapped in a pastry crust. My newest cookbook, Savory Baking, came out in Fall of 2022 - is full of recipes to translate a love of baking into recipes for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between!

Popular on Food52

2 Reviews

Andrea February 13, 2019

The vanilla bean nougat came together like a dream! So light and fluffy! I have just failed for the second time on the chocolate nougat. Each time comes together until I add the chocolate. Then it deflates and goes runny. It is the most delicious mistake I have make, but any ideas on what I am doing wrong?

Andrea February 14, 2019

Follow up: I let the vanilla bean dry out over night- all was well. I then covered the container with plastic because I had to go to work. I got home failed at my second attempt for chocolate nougat (see above) and cut my vanilla nougat. What I ended up with tastes like and is the consistency of marshmallow fluff. Tastes amazing, but not at all what I was hoping for. I'm guess it all went wrong when I covered it in plastic?!

Strawberry Layered Nougat Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is nougat in baking? ›

Nougat is a confection made with sugar or honey that's cooked and then whipped with egg whites to aerate it. It often contains almonds or other nuts, candied fruits and chocolate, although it can be left plain.

Are nougats soft? ›

The consistency of nougat can range from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy depending on its composition, and it is used in a variety of candy bars and chocolates.

What makes nougat hard? ›

As a result, the hotter the sugar syrup becomes, the more concentrated it is. By concentrating the sugar syrup you're making it thicker and more viscous. This is crucial for your final nougat. You want a syrup that's thick enough to make a firm nougat, without being so firm, the nougat becomes crunchy.

What are the three types of nougat? ›

There are three main types of nougat: white, brown, and viennese. White nougat, the most common variety, is likely what you're familiar with.

What is the difference between nougat and halva? ›

Halva is probably one of the oldest sweets in the world, and nougat shares its genuinity and its real, authentic flavour. The difference is that halva is made either with a flour base or a nut butter base, whilst nougat uses egg whites to achieve its chewiness and mellow, creamy mouthfeel.

What is the main ingredient in nougat? ›

Nougat (US: /ˈnuːɡət/ NOO-gət, UK: /ˈnuːɡɑː/ NOO-gah; French: [nuɡa]; Persian: نوقا) is a family of confections made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts are common), whipped egg whites, and sometimes chopped candied fruit.

Are nougats unhealthy? ›

Nougat candy is sweet, so it isn't generally considered a healthy food. Artisan nougat, however, is made with fine ingredients that are better for you than cheaper sweeteners and flavourings.

How are you supposed to eat nougat? ›

Nougat can be used as a filling or topping in a variety of desserts. It can be used to make candy bars, ice cream, and other sweet treats. Nougat can also be used in savory dishes, such as chicken nougatine. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the culinary uses of nougat!

What is nougat made of in Three Musketeers? ›

The nougat chocolate center is made by whipping egg whites until they are light and frothy. Sugar syrup is then added, stabilizing the foam and creating mousse. Other flavoring ingredients are then added to the mousse to create specific flavors.

What is the most popular nougat? ›

The two most popular varieties of Spanish nougat include the soft variety referred to as turrón blando or turrón de Jijona and the hard variety called turrón duro or turrón de Alicante, hailing from the respective Spanish towns of Jijona and Alicante.

Why do you put cocoa butter in nougat? ›

Cocoa Butter: The butter found in chocolate is not the same as white chocolate or coconut oil. Pure food grade cocoa butter can be found in health food stores, a chocolatier might sell you a little, or find it online. It is an essential ingredient for the nougat, as it will create a sublime, silky smooth texture.

Is Three Musketeers filled with nougat? ›

3 Musketeers is a candy bar made in the United States and Canada by Mars, Incorporated. It is a candy bar consisting of chocolate-covered, fluffy, whipped nougat. It is similar to the global Milky Way bar as well as the American version of the Milky Way bar (only without the latter's caramel topping).

Is nougat and caramel the same thing? ›

Chewy caramels are an intermediate candy, requiring two cooking processes, and nougat is the most advanced, incorporating two cooking processes and whipped egg whites.

What is an example of a nougat? ›

Varieties of nougat are found in Milky Way, Reese's Fast Break, Snickers, Double Decker, ZERO bars, and Baby Ruth bars. "Fluffy nougat" is the featured ingredient in the 3 Musketeers bar.

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