Nougatine Recipe

If you ever wanted to create your own nougatine recipe, here is your chance! Made with different kinds of nuts, nougatine has an amazing flavor profile. And it takes only 15 minutes of your time to make something delicious to enjoy in no time at all.

I love baking, but I don't always have time to make dessert, especially for unexpected guests.

It is also hard when you want to impress your family and friends with a delicious homemade treat, but you are busy or just not in the mood for it.

If you are looking for a quick and easy solution to this problem, then nougatine is the answer!

This recipe made with only three ingredients takes 15 minutes to make.

Just prepare a caramel, add the nuts you have on your hands, and spread into an oiled baking paper.

Voilà! You now have French nougatine that will be ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes again!

What is nougatine?

Nougatine is a French word for the easy-to-make nut-based dessert with a single or two and more different nuts.

It usually takes the form of small, irregular pieces that can be enjoyed on their own or as a topping for other desserts.

Almonds are the most popular flavor, but pistachios also do well in this area.

Why? Because they hold up well to more intense heat and don't go bad quickly as some other nuts do.

Nougatine vs. nougat

Nougatine refers to a clear or brown nut-based bark obtained by cooking sugar until converted into caramel.

On the other hand, nougat is a sweet, egg whites-based candy made from sugar, honey, and nuts.

You will find it in different variations - with nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, etc.), mixed with toasted nuts, candied fruits, crystallized fruits like strawberries.

Nougats can also be coated with cocoa beans. The chocolate-covered variety of nougat became popular in America after World War II.

History of nougatine

Nougatine is a delicate confectionery that was first discovered in the 1850s by a confectioner Jean-Louis-Bourumeau.

In 1862, Napoleon III and his wife, Empress Eugenie, visited Nevers when nougatine acquired its current fame.

During that visit, Empress Eugenie was offered nougatine, "a specialty in the order of gluttony."

The dessert became so popular among her Court ladies-in-waiting that it quickly spread throughout Paris.

Ever since then, it appears that everyone can appreciate how delicious these treats are.

French nougatine variations

French Wikipedia offers an extensive list of different types of French nougatine.

Named after its origin, Nevers nougatine (nougatine de Nevers in French) is made with sugar, chopped almonds, and coated with royal icing.

The Duchesse d'Angoulême is a nougatine filled with almond praline. It is made in sticks a bit over 1-inch/2.5 cm centimeters long and wrapped in gold or silver paper.

Fumay slates are small plates of nougatine covered with blue chocolate. And there are many more!

Nougatine recipe

Nougatine, as a golden treat of nuts and sugar, has infinite flavor possibilities.

The basic recipe is easy to follow for anyone where sugar is cooked with water over medium heat until it becomes caramel. Then flaked almonds are added while constantly stirring.

Most people make almond nougatine; others experiment with pistachios, hazelnuts, and sesame seeds.

Some chefs create nougatine as the main flavor in their cakes, such as Nougatine Cake and cookies.

Other chefs pair the nougatine up with savory dishes (roasted chicken or pan-fried mushrooms) to bring more depth during mealtime.

Different types of nougatines are made using different methods. There are three types of nougatine preparation: dry, cooked sugar, and glucose fondant nougatine.

Dry nougatine is based on making dry caramel. Cooked sugar nougatine is made with adding water.

Glycose fondant nougatine is what the chefs make because it is more resistant to humidity, perfect for ready-made items.

Glucose also prevents the sugar from crystallizing during cooking and especially from melting too quickly.

How to serve nougatine

Serve nougatine broken into pieces to make a sweet gourmet treat.

Or sprinkle the crushed nougatine over a summer fruit compote, whipped cream, or ice cream.

You can use the nougatine broken or cut into pieces to decorate cakes with elaborate decorations.

Why you should try this recipe

1. This easy nougatine recipe requires only three ingredients and is made in 15 minutes.
2. French nougatine is a perfect sweet treat for kids and adults, and it makes a stunning decoration for desserts.
3. It makes a great edible gift during holidays.
4. Plus, it's gluten-free and vegan-friendly!

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

Sugar: use the finest possible sugar, caster sugar, or baker's sugar: it melts faster.

Almonds: use flaked almonds. You can replace them with slivered almonds, whole or chopped hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, or a mix of nuts.

For the taste buds' pleasure, try to experiment with sesame seeds, organic pepitas, or a mixture of seeds (sesame seeds, flax seeds, and poppy seeds).

The use of different nuts and seeds brings different flavors, tastes, and visual appearances.

The more nuts or seeds used in the recipe, the more fragile nougatine is. As a result, it is less sweet but more flavorful than if it had been made with a little nut or seed content.

You should try to use nuts from 30 to 100% of the weight of the sugar. Toast them yourself (the recipe is below) or use store-bought flaked toasted almonds.

Water: it is used as a liquid to make wet caramel.

How to make almond nougatine

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F/150 degrees C. Place flaked almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. Watch for the color: almonds should get a slightly golden color.

Prepare a parchment paper sheet and use a pastry brush or a silicone brush to oil parchment with grapeseed oil.

To make the caramel, place sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring it over medium heat (photo 1).

Shake the pot regularly to distribute the heat: do not use utensils. The sugar syrup will start to get a golden color (photo 2).

Once the sugar dissolves and turns into a beautiful golden caramel, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add flaked almonds and quickly stir with a wooden spatula. To get the desired color of the nougatine, bring the mixture over medium heat for a few seconds, stirring vigorously (photo 3).

Pour the mixture onto the prepared parchment. Spread it out in an even, thin layer with a wooden spatula or oiled blade (photo 4).

You can also use a prepared in advance oiled rolling pin to roll out the nougatine gently. Let it cool for at least 25 minutes.

Break the nougatine into pieces and use it as desired.

Expert tips

1. Be careful working with hot caramel. Make sure kids are kept out of the kitchen while working with hot sugar.
2. Replace grapeseed oil with vegetable oil.
3. To make your nougatine thicker, pour the hot nougatine mixture onto parchment paper and spread it a bit. Cover with the second sheet of parchment on top and roll the mixture out with a rolling pin into a layer of desired thickness before it hardens. Let it cool. 
4. To cut the nougatine into desired shapes, use an oiled slicing knife while the nougatine is hot.
5. Store nougatine flat on parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Nougatine should be protected from moisture: avoid storing it in a refrigerator. 
6. Avoid making nougatine on humid days.

Frequently asked question

Love quick desserts? Try these next!

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Recipe card

The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.