Nuts in baking

Nuts in baking

The Versatile Nature of Nuts

Nuts are a type of fruit that grow on trees, and they are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. There are many different types of nuts, including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. Nuts can be eaten on their own as a snack, or they can be used in a variety of dishes and baked goods.
One of the most common uses for nuts in baking is to add flavor and texture to cookies, cakes, and breads. For example, almonds can be ground and used to make marzipan, a sweet paste that is often used as a filling for cakes and pastries. Walnuts and pecans are commonly used in cookies, brownies, and pie crusts, and they add a crunchy texture and a rich, nutty flavor. Hazelnuts are often used to make chocolate-hazelnut spreads like Nutella, and they can also be used to make hazelnut-flavored cookies and cakes.
Nuts can also be used to make nut butters, which are a tasty and healthy alternative to peanut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, and other nut butters can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, and they are a good source of plant-based protein. Nut butters can be used as a spread on sandwiches and toast, or they can be added to smoothies and baked goods for a boost of flavor and nutrition.

Health Benefits of Nuts

In addition to their flavor and texture, nuts have several health benefits. They are a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Nuts are also high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are known to be heart-healthy. Studies have shown that consuming nuts on a regular basis may help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Despite their many benefits, it's important to keep in mind that nuts are high in calories and fat, so it's best to consume them in moderation. When using nuts in baking, it's often a good idea to chop them finely or grind them into a meal to help distribute their flavor and nutrition more evenly throughout the finished product.

Nuts are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can add flavor, texture, and nutrition to a wide variety of baked goods. From cookies and cakes to breads and spreads, there are many ways to incorporate nuts into your baking repertoire and add some extra goodness to your desserts.
 
Here is a list of different types of nuts:

  1. Almonds
  2. Brazil nuts
  3. Cashews
  4. Chestnuts
  5. Hazelnuts
  6. Macadamia nuts
  7. Peanuts (technically a legume, but often referred to as a nut)
  8. Pecans
  9. Pine nuts
  10. Pistachios
  11. Walnuts
This is just a small sampling of the many types of nuts that are available. There are many other types of nuts as well, including beechnuts, butternuts, and hickory nuts, to name a few.
 
  1. Almonds - Almonds are oval-shaped nuts with a tan-colored outer shell and a white inner kernel. They have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, and protein, and they can be eaten on their own as a snack or used in a variety of dishes and baked goods.
  2. Brazil nuts - Brazil nuts are large, oval-shaped nuts with a hard, brown outer shell and a creamy white inner kernel. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a crunchy texture, and they are a good source of selenium, a mineral that is essential for good health. Brazil nuts can be eaten on their own or used in baked goods and other dishes.
  3. Cashews - Cashews are kidney-shaped nuts with a pale yellow outer shell and a white inner kernel. They have a mild, sweet flavor and a smooth, creamy texture, and they are a good source of copper, magnesium, and zinc. Cashews can be eaten on their own as a snack, or they can be used in a variety of dishes and baked goods.
  4. Chestnuts - Chestnuts are large, round nuts with a hard, brown outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a sweet, nutty flavor and a starchy, slightly chewy texture, and they are a good source of carbohydrates and vitamin C. Chestnuts are often roasted and eaten as a snack, and they can also be used in soups, stews, and baked goods.
  5. Hazelnuts - Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are small, round nuts with a brown outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a rich, sweet flavor and a crunchy texture, and they are a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Hazelnuts are often used to make chocolate-hazelnut spreads like Nutella, and they can also be used in cookies, cakes, and other baked goods.
  6. Macadamia nuts - Macadamia nuts are oval-shaped nuts with a hard, brown outer shell and a creamy white inner kernel. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth, creamy texture, and they are a good source of monounsaturated fats. Macadamia nuts are often used in baked goods, and they can also be eaten on their own as a snack.
  7. Peanuts - Peanuts are small, round nuts with a brown outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a rich, nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture, and they are a good source of protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. Peanuts are often used to make peanut butter, and they can also be used in a variety of dishes and baked goods.
  8. Pecans - Pecans are small, narrow nuts with a brown outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a rich, sweet flavor and a crunchy texture, and they are a good source of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Pecans are often used in cookies, brownies, and pie crusts, and they can also be eaten on their own as a snack.
  9. Pine nuts - Pine nuts are small, narrow nuts with a pale yellow outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a slightly crunchy texture, and they are a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Pine nuts are often used in pesto sauce and as a garnish for salads and other dishes
  10. Pistachios - Pistachios are small, oval-shaped nuts with a hard, pale outer shell and a pale green inner kernel. They have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and a crunchy texture, and they are a good source of protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. Pistachios are often eaten as a snack, and they can also be used in a variety of dishes and baked goods.
  11. Walnuts - Walnuts are oval-shaped nuts with a hard, dark outer shell and a pale inner kernel. They have a rich, slightly bitter flavor and a crunchy texture, and they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants. Walnuts are often used in cookies, brownies, and pie crusts, and they can also be eaten on their own as a snack.

 

A Nuts Recipe!

Almond Butter and Berry Tart Recipe (Serves 8)

Crust:

  • 200g digestive biscuits, crushed
  • 60g unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar

Filling:

  • 150g almond butter
  • 100g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 100ml heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200g mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)

Topping:

  • 50g sliced almonds
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. In a bowl, mix together crushed digestive biscuits, melted butter, and 1 tbsp sugar until well combined.
  3. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 23cm tart tin. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, beat together almond butter and 100g sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust. Arrange the mixed berries on top of the mixture.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix together the sliced almonds, 1 tsp sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the berries.
  7. Bake the tart for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the topping is golden.
  8. Let the tart cool before serving. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!


 
 by Flavio de Stefano

Image by Freepik

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