Wasp Nest

Wasps' Nests with Walnut and Cocoa Butter: A Classic Dessert with a Unique Twist

Who doesn't love to enjoy a warm, fresh dessert full of flavors? This recipe for wasps' nests filled with walnut and cocoa butter will bring a smile to anyone's face. With a tender, slightly fluffy dough and a rich filling, this dessert is not only delicious but also a true visual delight. Let's get started!

Total preparation time: 2 hours (including rising time)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 18 nests

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 600 g white wheat flour
- 200 ml milk
- 2 duck eggs
- 1 teaspoon iodized salt
- 150 g cocoa butter
- 3 tablespoons dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Zest of one lemon

For the filling:
- 500 g ground walnuts
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 150 g honey
- 250 ml milk

Necessary utensils
- Large mixing bowl
- Silicone molds for wasps' nests
- A pan for boiling the filling
- Oven

The story behind the recipe

Wasps' nests are a dessert that has brought joy to many homes over time. Each culture has its version, but the essence remains the same: a delicious combination of fluffy dough and rich filling. In this recipe, I added a special ingredient - cocoa butter - which gives a more refined taste and a distinctive aroma.

Step by step: Preparing the wasps' nests

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the dry yeast and salt. Add the granulated sugar and lemon zest for extra flavor.
2. In another container, warm the milk until it's lukewarm, but not hot. Add the duck eggs and melted cocoa butter (but not hot) and mix well.
3. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and knead the dough. You can also use a bread machine, as I did, to save time and effort.
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Let it rise in a warm place, covered with a towel, for 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.

Step 2: Preparing the filling
1. In a pan, bring the milk to a boil. When it starts boiling, add the ground walnuts, granulated sugar, and honey. Mix well and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Then, let the filling cool.

Step 3: Shaping the nests
1. After the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. Roll out each part on a floured surface, forming two thin sheets.
2. On each sheet, spread the walnut filling, making sure to stay at the edges to roll the dough more easily.
3. Roll each sheet tightly, then cut the rolls into slices about 2 cm thick.
4. Place each slice in the silicone molds, allowing them to rise for another 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium heat). Place the molds in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the nests turn golden.
2. After removing them from the oven, prepare a mixture of milk, sugar, and honey, which you will pour over each nest. Put them back in the oven for another 5 minutes to caramelize slightly.

Serving suggestions

These wasps' nests are delicious both warm and at room temperature. You can serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a caramel sauce for a contrast of textures and flavors. A cup of tea or coffee will perfectly complement this dessert, making it ideal for a relaxing afternoon.

Possible variations

If you want to experiment, you can replace the walnuts with almonds or hazelnuts, and for a more exotic taste, add a few drops of rum essence to the filling.

Useful tips for a perfect result

- Make sure the milk is not too hot when adding it to the dough, as excessive heat can kill the yeast.
- Use fresh ingredients, especially duck eggs, which have a richer taste compared to chicken eggs.
- Don't rush the rising time; a well-risen dough will provide a fluffier texture.

Calories and nutritional benefits

Each wasp nest contains approximately 250 calories, due to rich ingredients like walnuts and cocoa butter. Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, while cocoa butter brings antioxidants and contributes to heart health.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that the texture will be different; you may need to add a bit more liquid.

2. How can I store the wasps' nests?
They keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Conclusion

These wasps' nests filled with walnut and cocoa butter are not just a dessert, but a true culinary experience. I hope you enjoy every step of the preparation and the final result. Happy cooking and don't forget to share this recipe with your loved ones!