Date-nut Candy

Date-nut Candy

1 ¼ c dates

7 oz. water

¼ c sugar

3 tbsp light corn syrup

1/4 tsp salt

¼ c walnuts, chopped

Amaretti 

2T (or 2) egg whites

½ c granulated sugar

½ c finely ground almonds

1T amaretto liqueur

(Optional: dash of vanilla extract) 

You will need crushed amaretti to roll your candy in. Of course you could use store bought stuff, but there's nothing better than the smell of freshly toasted nuts, right?

To make the amaretti: 

Preheat to 340 degrees F. 

Beat the egg whites until slightly stiff.

Add sugar, beat until stiff.

Add almonds and liqueur.

Fill into piping bag and pipe onto a silicon mat in rounds.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until slightly browned and hardened.

To make the candy: 

Chop dates into small pieces.

In a pan, add dates, water, sugar, glucose syrup and salt.

Bring to a boil.

Boil for a few minutes, stirring constantly and waiting until the dates mixture has lost a lot of its moisture and has come together into a sticky mass.

Remove from heat and add chopped nuts.

Let cool slightly, and then transfer into a food processor.

Blend well.

Let cool to room temperature and form into small truffle balls.

Crush the amaretti and roll date candy until covered.

Keep in refrigerator around two weeks.

They are best enjoyed at room temperature though, the flavors unfurl themselves better.

Recipe Source: http://fleurdupoirier.blogspot.com/2011/09/date-nut-candy.html