Amandine

Pralinés: The Crunchy Delight of Desserts

If you're looking for a quick and tasty dessert, pralinés are the perfect solution! These little crunchy delights, with a fluffy texture and unique flavor, are ideal to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or tea, but they can also be a perfect gift for loved ones. Let's explore this wonderful recipe, full of aromas and nostalgia, step by step.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 20 pralinés

Ingredients needed

- 250g walnuts or almonds (preferably pre-roasted)
- 6 egg whites
- 10 tablespoons of sugar (preferably fine sugar)
- 3 tablespoons of flour (type 000, for a fine texture)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- Oil (for greasing the tray)
- Flour (for dusting the tray)

Preparation of ingredients

1. Roasting the nuts: Start by roasting the walnuts or almonds. They can be baked in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes, or in a non-stick pan on the stove, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The aroma of roasted nuts will fill your kitchen with an irresistible scent.

2. Grinding the nuts: Once cooled, grind the walnuts or almonds using a cookie grinder or a blender, being careful not to turn them into flour. The texture should be slightly coarse, to add crunchiness.

Steps for preparation

1. Beating the egg whites: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until frothy. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until you achieve a firm, glossy meringue. It is essential that the sugar is completely dissolved to obtain a fine texture.

2. Adding dry ingredients: Sift the flour over the meringue, add the ground nuts and vanilla sugar. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to gently fold in the ingredients, using a top-to-bottom motion to maintain the aeration of the mixture.

3. Preparing the tray: Grease a baking tray with oil and dust it with flour, ensuring it is well covered to prevent the pralinés from sticking.

4. Forming the pralinés: Using a teaspoon or tablespoon, form small mounds of dough on the tray, leaving a little space between them as they will spread while baking. If you want them larger, you can use the tablespoon, but remember that the baking time will be slightly longer.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius and bake the pralinés for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden. You will know they are ready when they become crunchy on the outside but remain fluffy on the inside.

Serving and variations

Once the pralinés have cooled completely, you can stick two together with a chocolate cream, such as Nutella, for an extra flavor boost. They can be served alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a fragrant tea, turning them into a perfect dessert for a relaxing afternoon.

Useful tips

- Variations of ingredients: You can experiment with different types of nuts or almonds, such as hazelnuts or pistachios, to achieve diverse flavors. You can also add some chocolate chips for an even more decadent taste.
- Storing the pralinés: These delights can be stored in an airtight container for a few days, but they will surely disappear quickly!

Nutritional benefits

Pralinés are rich in protein due to the egg whites and nuts, providing an excellent source of energy. Nuts are full of healthy fatty acids and antioxidants, contributing to a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use only egg whites from cartons?
Yes, but make sure they are of good quality and do not contain preservatives.

Can I replace sugar with a sweetener?
Yes, but keep in mind that the texture and taste may change. Choose a sweetener that behaves similarly to sugar when baking.

Can pralinés be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze them in airtight containers. When you take them out, let them thaw at room temperature.

So now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to get cooking! Pralinés are not just a simple dessert but a true culinary experience, full of warmth and good cheer. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 250 g of walnuts or almonds ground in a food processor (we used walnuts) 6 egg whites 3 tablespoons of flour heaped 10 tablespoons of sugar 1 packet of vanilla sugar

 Tags:  almonds nuts bitter almonds