Turrón de Jijona is one of the most emblematic Christmas sweets in Spanish gastronomy. Originating from the Alicante town of Jijona, this soft turrón is traditionally made with ground almonds, honey, and sugar, achieving a unctuous texture and intense nutty flavor. Unlike the hard Alicante turrón, Jijona's is characterized by its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, the result of a milling process that grinds toasted almonds into a fine paste.
This homemade recipe simplifies the traditional process without losing its essence: the mixture of ground almonds, cinnamon, honey, and sugar is combined with beaten egg white to give it lightness. The result is a sweet perfect for the holidays, ideal for sharing with family or gifting. It's also a great option for those looking to make their own Christmas treats with natural ingredients and no preservatives.
Enjoy it on its own, spread on toast, or as an accompaniment to desserts. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container; it will stay soft for weeks. Dare to make this classic and surprise everyone with an unforgettable artisanal turrón.
Prep
30 min
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds and ground cinnamon.
In a saucepan, heat the honey and granulated sugar over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
While the sugar and honey mixture is simmering, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form.
Once the honey-sugar mixture has simmered for 5 minutes, remove it from the heat and gradually fold it into the almond mixture, stirring until well combined.
Gently fold in the beaten egg white, ensuring the mixture becomes fluffy and well mixed.
Line a mold or baking dish with parchment paper and transfer the nougat mixture into it. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Let it cool at room temperature for a few hours, or until it sets and becomes firm.
Once the Turrón de Jijona has set, cut it into small squares or rectangles, and it's ready to serve. Enjoy this sweet almond delight!
