If you have a sweet tooth, you've probably enjoyed a nougat-filled chocolate bar or two. But what exactly is nougat – and what is it made of? Learn all about the classic candy, including how to make it at home.
What Is Nougat?
Nougat is a fluffy, aerated confection that is made of sugar or honey and egg whites. It often contains fruits and nuts. Traditional nougat resembles fudge and is a far cry from the processed candy fillings you might be familiar with, which are generally made with hydrolyzed proteins and corn syrup.
When people refer to "nougat," they can be talking about a standalone confection or a filling (or layer) in a chocolate bar. You may have encountered versions of nougat in popular brands such as 3 Musketeers, Snickers, and Milky Way.
The sugary treat is commonly served during Christmastime in Europe.
What Does Nougat Taste Like?
When it's made correctly, nougat is intensely sweet and creamy with a slight marshmallow-y flavor. It should be pleasantly chewy with lots of fluff, thanks to heavily beaten egg whites.
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. It's made with beaten egg whites, sugar or honey, and sometimes other ingredients to add flavor and texture (such as nuts and candied fruits).
- Brown nougat – which is made with caramelized sugar instead of egg whites – is harder, crunchier, and darker than the white variety.
- Viennese nougat contains beaten egg whites, sugar, hazelnuts or pralines, and cocoa.
Nougat History
Nougat's origins are a bit murky, but many food historians have traced it to the Middle East. Early nougat recipes were found in a book that dates back to 10th century Baghdad. These early versions were called nāṭif.
From its origins in the Middle East, the confection later spread to Spain and Italy in the 15th century and France in the 17th century.
Spain
Spanish nougat, or turrón, is at least 500 years old. There are two main varieties: Turrón de Alicante – made with egg whites, honey or sugar, and toasted almonds – has a white hue and crunchy texture. Turrón Jijona is a golden, smooth, thick paste with a peanut butter-like texture.
Italy
Italian nougat, or torrone, was created around the same time as its Spanish counterpart in the 15th century. According to legend, the first torrone was sculpted in the shape of the Cremona cathedral bell tower (called Torrazzo or Torrione) for an aristocratic wedding in Lombardy. The annual Torrone Festival is held in Cremona to this day.
France
French nougat dates back to 16th century Provence. Unverified local lore suggests "nougat" comes from the "tu nous gates," which means "you spoil us" in French. There are two main nougat types in France: Nougat de Montélimar, a soft white variety, and Nougatine, a crunchy dark variety.
How to Make Nougat
Making nougat is a labor of love, but the finished product is well worth the extra effort. It requires a candy thermometer, a whisk, and a lot of patience. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you begin:
- Nougat is sticky. Oil your hands before working with the mixture, and oil the knife often when you're cutting the hardened candy into squares.
- Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment if you have one. There's a lot of beating and mixing, so it will definitely come in handy.
- Store your finished product in wax paper so the candy doesn't stick together.
Try this recipe: Torrone (Italian Nut and Nougat Confection)
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FAQs
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. Nougat can be soft and tender like marshmallow but is more often dense and very chewy.
What is nougat explained? ›
nougat, aerated confection made by mixing nuts and sometimes fruit pieces in a sugar paste, the composition of which is varied to give either a chewy or brittle consistency. Nougat originated in Mediterranean countries, where honey, together with almonds or other nuts, was beaten into egg whites and then sun-dried.
What is nougat made of in a 3 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 the heck is nougat? ›
Nougat is a confectionery made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios or hazelnuts are common) and sometimes chopped, candied fruit. The consistency of nougat can range from chewy to hard depending on its composition. There are two basic kinds of nougat: white and brown.
Is nougat good for you? ›
They are loaded with fiber, proteins, and vitamins from natural sources. Nougat bars with fruits such as raisins and cranberries and nuts like almonds may also help lower cholesterol with the healthy natural fats and enzymes in them. Now you can look at nougat bars as more than a quick fix.
Is nougat a gelatin? ›
The nougat that appears in many candy bars in the United States and United Kingdom differs from traditional recipes and consists of sucrose and corn syrup aerated with a whipping agent (such as egg white, hydrolyzed soya protein or gelatine); it may also include vegetable fats and milk powder.
What country does nougat come from? ›
Early nougat recipes were found in a book that dates back to 10th century Baghdad. These early versions were called nāṭif. From its origins in the Middle East, the confection later spread to Spain and Italy in the 15th century and France in the 17th century.
What are the three types of nougat? ›
Nougat typically appears in three main forms: white nougat (which is the most common variety), brown nougat (usually composed of caramel and nuts and lacking egg whites), and Viennese nougat, which replaces egg whites with cocoa and a mashed hazelnut base.
Is Snickers a nougat? ›
Packed with roasted peanuts, nougat, caramel and milk chocolate, SNICKERS Candy handles your hunger so you can handle things that don't relate to hunger at all. The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.
What is the oldest candy bar? ›
Fry & Sons and currently manufactured by Cadbury. Launched in 1866—nineteen years after Fry's created the first moulded, solid chocolate eating bar (in 1847)— Fry's Chocolate Cream is the first mass-produced chocolate bar and is the world's oldest chocolate bar brand.
The Milky Way bar is made of nougat, topped with caramel and covered with milk chocolate. It was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars and originally manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What is golden nougat? ›
Golden Boronia almond crunchy nougat is made with the natural goodness of honey, almond and golden corn with absolutely no artificial colouring. The result is a delightfully tasty nougat with a tantalising aroma that is locked in until the very last minute.
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 country is famous for nougat? ›
France Nougat: Made in the Provence region since at least the sixteenth century. Known as 'nogat' in the Middle Ages. In Provence the name is said to come from 'tu nous gates,' or, 'you spoil us.
