Homemade Nougat Bars

Homemade Nougat Bars

Homemade Nougat Bars are a delightful treat that’s soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. With a mix of honey, nuts, and chocolate, these bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just for fun, they’re sure to impress!

Ingredients:

• For the Nougat:

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

  • 1/2 cup corn syrup

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 3 large egg whites

  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, or pistachios work well)

• For the Chocolate Coating:

  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate, if preferred)

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to help with the smoothness of the chocolate)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Nougat Base:

   • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, honey, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

   • Continue to cook the syrup until it reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer. Once it reaches this temperature, remove it from the heat.

2. Whip the Egg Whites:

   • While the syrup is cooking, use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. This will take about 5 minutes.

3. Combine the Syrup and Egg Whites:

   • Once the syrup reaches the desired temperature, carefully pour the hot syrup into the egg whites in a thin stream, while continuing to mix on low speed.

   • After adding the syrup, increase the mixer speed to high and continue to beat until the nougat becomes thick, glossy, and slightly cooled, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the Nuts and Vanilla:

   • Once the nougat mixture is thick and fluffy, fold in the chopped nuts and vanilla extract with a spatula.

5. Set the Nougat:

   • Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease it lightly.

   • Pour the nougat mixture into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Allow the nougat to set and cool at room temperature for about 1 hour.

6. Prepare the Chocolate Coating:

   • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

7. Coat the Nougat Bars:

   • Once the nougat has cooled and set, carefully lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper.

   • Cut the nougat into bars or squares.

   • Dip each nougat bar into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Use a fork to lift the bars out of the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off.

   • Place the coated bars onto a parchment-lined tray or plate to set. You can refrigerate them for 10-15 minutes to speed up the setting process.

8. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Once the chocolate is firm, your homemade nougat bars are ready to enjoy! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips:

• Nuts: You can also add dried fruits like cranberries or raisins to the nougat for extra flavor and texture.

• Chocolate: If you prefer, you can use dark chocolate or white chocolate for coating instead of semisweet.

• Make it a Candy Gift: These nougat bars make a fantastic homemade gift. Package them in decorative boxes or bags for a thoughtful treat.

These Homemade Nougat Bars are a deliciously chewy and chocolatey treat that can be customized with your favorite nuts and flavors. They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a sweet snack!