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Prep Time: 60 Minutes Cook Time: 60 Minutes |
Ready In: 120 Minutes Servings: 10 |
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This is my grandmother's recipe for the chocolate variation of Torrone. Torrone is a traditional nougat candy with hazel nuts (or almonds, or a combination of both), usually served at Christmas and/or Easter. Please note - the mixture sets up quickly, so work quickly. You may find that lining the loaf pans with waxed paper before adding the wafer to be helpful. Should some of the mixture ooze under the wafer, it could stick to the loaf pan, making it difficult to remove the torrone from the pan for slicing. Ingredients:
1/2 lb honey |
1 cup sugar |
4 tablespoons water, divided (2 tablespoons each) |
2 egg whites |
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa (not cocoa mix ) |
1 tablespoon sugar |
1 1/4 lbs shelled hazelnuts, slightly toasted (can sub almonds if you prefer) |
ostia wafers (*enough to line two or three 6 x 8-inch loaf pans) |
Directions:
1. *Note:Ostia wafers are very thin sheet-like pieces of unleavened wheat bread.
2. Ostia may be found in some Italian deli's, Italian import stores, or candy making supply shops.
3. Line two or three 6 x 8-inch loaf pans with wafer, and set aside.
4. Place honey on top of a double boiler over boiling water.
5. Stir constantly, until honey caramelizes (approx 45 min to 1 hr).
6. In a small saucepan, combine 2 Tablespoons water and 1 cup sugar, let mixture boil slowly until caramelized.
7. Beat egg whites until stiff.
8. Add stiff egg whites to honey a little at a time, mixing well.
9. Add caramelized sugar mixture, and mix well.
10. Combine cocoa, 2 Tablespoons water and 1 Tablespoon sugar in a small saucepan, and cook until the mixture is creamy.
11. Add the cocoa mixture and nuts to the egg white mixture, mixing well.
12. Pour the torrone mixture into wafer lined pans (about 2 inches deep).
13. Top mixture with another piece of wafer (cut to fit), lightly pressing it onto the surface, making sure there are no air bubbles under the wafer.
14. Allow to cool.
15. When cool, remove from pans (If using waxed paper under the wafer of the torrone, peel off the waxed paper before slicing).
16. Cut each pan into 2 long rectangular pieces.
17. Wrap each piece tightly in waxed paper for storage.
18. To serve, cut each rectangular piece into 1/4-inch slices.
19. Note: The longer torrone is stored, the harder/firmer it gets.
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