Homemade nougatine – crunchy shards for cake decoration

Homemade nougatine – crunchy shards for cake decoration is a easy French recipe that serves 8. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by Hervé Cuisine on YouTube.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 40 min

Cost: $2.40 total, $0.30 per serving

Ingredients

  • 250 g Granulated white sugar (Granulated, preferably white crystal)
  • 125 g Sliced or chopped almonds (Lightly toasted before use)
  • 1 c. à café Fresh lemon juice (A few drops to prevent caramel crystallization)

Instructions

  1. Prepare ingredients and oven

    Preheat the oven to 180°C. Measure the sugar and almonds. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: 180°C

  2. Toast the almonds

    Spread the almonds in an even layer on the sheet and bake for 5 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and let cool.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 180°C

  3. Caramelize the sugar

    Pour the sugar into a heavy‑bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat without adding water. Stir gently with a wooden spoon at the first signs of melting until you obtain a smooth golden‑amber caramel.

    Time: PT7M

  4. Coat the almonds

    Immediately pour the toasted almonds into the hot caramel. Gently mix with the wooden spoon so each almond is well coated.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Spread the nougatine

    Transfer the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Place a second sheet on top and roll with a rolling pin until about 3 mm thick.

    Time: PT4M

  6. Cut and let cool

    Remove the top sheet, let the nougatine cool completely (2‑3 min). Cut into shards or desired shapes with a sharp knife.

    Time: PT3M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
150
Protein
2 g
Carbohydrates
15 g
Fat
8 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten-free, low-carb, low-calorie, very-low-calorie, low-fat

Allergens: Almonds (tree nuts)

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Homemade nougatine – crunchy shards for cake decoration

Recipe by Hervé Cuisine

Homemade nougatine made with caramelized sugar, toasted almonds and a splash of lemon juice. An ultra‑fine crisp that elevates tiered cakes, ice creams and biscuits. Easy, quick and additive‑free!

EasyFrenchServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
20m
Prep
5m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
35m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$2.40
Total cost
$0.30
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Caramelize the sugar without burning it
  • Coat the almonds quickly before the caramel hardens
  • Roll the still‑warm nougatine between two papers to prevent it from sticking

Safety Warnings

  • Caramel reaches over 170°C: handle with kitchen gloves and avoid any skin contact
  • Never touch the caramel with your fingers; in case of burn, rinse immediately with cold water

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