Walnut Pralines Recipes

MAPLE WALNUT PRALINES

Steps:

• Spread a sheet of waxed paper onto a flat working surface.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Slowly stream maple syrup into the saucepan while stirring with the butter; bring to a light simmer. Stir confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, and salt into syrup mixture with a whisk; cook and stir until the mixture is hot and the confectioners' sugar is completely dissolved into the liquid. Gently stir walnuts into the liquid just until coated and remove saucepan from heat. Let the mixture cool slightly.
• Drop walnut pieces by the spoonful onto the waxed paper and let each portion spread into a rounded mound; let cool completely until set, at least 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED MARZIPAN AND WALNUT PRALINES

Steps:

• Knead marzipan with 3/4 cup powdered sugar, chopped walnuts, rum, and maraschino liqueur on a clean work surface until smooth.
• Sprinkle remaining powdered sugar on a clean work surface. Roll out marzipan and cut out circles, squares, or rectangles.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set a wire rack on top.
• Place 3/4 of the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining dark chocolate until smooth.
• Stick a toothpick or metal skewer into each praline and dip into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off. Set onto the wire rack. Allow chocolate to set a little, then place 1 walnut half on top of the chocolate.
• Allow chocolate to harden completely. Store pralines in airtight containers.

WALNUT PRALINES

Steps:

• Combine sugars and milk in saucepan over medium heat. Stirring, with a wood spoon, do not scorch milk.
• Spray baking non-stick spray on cookie sheet or aluminium foil laid on top of thick towels.
• Once mixture boils, stir in butter, walnuts, spices and honey. Continue to heat, without stirring, until between 235 to 240 degrees F. (113 to 116 degrees C) Recommended you purchase a digital thermometer-great investment!
• Once temperature has been reached, remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.
• Beat until thickened until liquid poured from wooden spoon starts to pour slowly.
• Immediately drop by one spoonfull onto sprayed cookie sheet or foil.
• Let cool and freeze in small bags of 3 to 4 per bag. THESE ARE SOO GOOD YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EAT JUST ONE!

WALNUT PRALINE (CANDIED WALNUTS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan-forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
• Spread the walnuts out in a single layer on the prepared baking tray and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Tip the sugar into a small-medium stainless steel saucepan and give it a shake to level it out. Slowly drizzle the water all around the sugar. Let it sit for a minute to soak.
• You can do this step while the sugar is boiling in the next step. Sprinkle the baking soda over the cooled walnuts.
• Turn the heat on very low and let the sugar come to a boil without touching or moving it. Let it continue boiling until it's amber in colour. Remove from heat.
• Grab the sides of the baking paper and tip the walnuts and baking soda into the toffee. Stir it through immediately.
• Place the baking paper back on the tray, then tip the praline out onto the tray. Spread out with your spoon and let it cool completely to set.

CHOCOLATE MAPLE WALNUT PRALINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Toast the walnuts on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.
• Heat the maple syrup in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When the syrup begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium and allow the syrup to continue to boil and thicken for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon. Remove the very hot syrup from the heat. Immediately add the walnuts to the syrup and stir to combine. Transfer the glazed walnuts to a baking sheet with sides. Use a metal spoon to spread the walnuts evenly over one half of the baking sheet. Set aside.
• Place the sugar and lemon juice in a 3-quart saucepan. Stir with a whisk to combine (the sugar will resemble moist sand). Caramelize the sugar by heating for 10 to 10 1/2 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wire whisk to break up any lumps (the sugar will first turn clear as it liquefies, then light brown as it caramelizes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the unsweetened chocolate and stir to dissolve. Immediately and carefully pour the caramelized mixture over the walnuts, covering all the nuts. Allow to harden at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
• Invert the praline onto a clean, dry cutting board (it should pop right out of the baking sheet), this will keep the shiny side looking shiny after cutting. Use a sharp serrated slicer to cut (use a sawing motion) the praline into desired size pieces. Store the pralines in a tightly sealed plastic container until ready to devour.

WALNUT-PRALINE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Process 2/3 cup nuts in food processor or blender until finely ground. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in ground nuts. Pour into 2 (9-inch) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 10 min. Remove cakes from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, cover baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Bring granulated sugar and water to boil in small saucepan on medium-high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining nuts; spread onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Melt chocolate as directed on package; cool slightly.
• Reserve 2 cups frosting. Add 2/3 of the melted chocolate to remaining frosting in bowl; beat until blended. Carefully remove nuts from foil; break into small clusters.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half; stack on plate, spreading chocolate frosting between layers. Frost top and side of cake with reserved plain cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle nuts over top of cake. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate.