Chinese Date Walnut Candy 棗泥核桃糕
These delicious chewy traditional Chinese Date Walnut Candies 棗泥核桃糕 are made of Chinese dates and walnuts, the rich soft sweetness of the date paste the prefect counterpoint to the nutty, slightly bitter harder bite of the walnuts sprinkled throughout. It's a delicious treat anytime. Fresh homemade candies really rock the flavor!
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 35 min
- Yield
- 40 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cups maltose sugar syrup 麥芽糖, 800g
- 1/2 cup sugar, 50g
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup water, 80
- 3 cups Chinese date paste 棗泥漿, 700g
- 5 tbsp corn starch, 40g
- 1/3 cup water, 80g
- 1/3 cup neutral flavor oil, 80g
- 3 1/2 cups whole walnuts, 400g
- edible glutinous rice paper wrappers
Instructions
- 1
Prepare a small bowl of water and set in fridge to chill.
- 2
Lightly toss walnuts in a hot wok for a few minutes or until aromatic and just lightly browned. Let cool.
- 3
In a thick bottomed nonstick pan, add in maltose, sugar, salt and 1/3 cup water. Cook over low heat until sugar dissolved and maltose softened.
- 4
Add in date paste and continue stirring until the mixture thickens.
- 5
Mix corn starch and water together, then add in, stirring to mix.
- 6
Add in the oil and stir to mix in.
- 7
Continue stirring until oil in completely incorporated and the mixture starts to separate from sides and bottom of the pan.
- 8
Add in the walnuts, stirring gently to mix in. Keep gently stirring the candy paste over low heat until quite thick or for approx. another 15-20 mins.
- 9
Test candy's readiness by dropping a small spoonful of mixture into the bowl of chilled water. If the mixture holds its shape easily but is still flexible when pressed then it is ready. If the mixture does not hold shape then keep cooking and retest until ready.
- 10
Pour onto silicon mat or parchment paper covered surface. Use a oiled rolling pin to smooth and press to 3/4 inch thickness. Let cool completely.
- 11
Using an oiled knife, slice into 3/4 inch slices, setting aside each slice without touching each other.
- 12
Cut slices into 2 inches lengths, again setting out without touching.
- 13
Use edible rice paper wrappers to wrap candies.