Gozinaki (Georgian Caramelized Walnut Candy)

Name: Gozinaki (Georgian Caramelized Walnut Candy)
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cup shelled walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped; 12 to 14 dried apricots, each cut in 1/4-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon good dark rum; 1 teaspoon pure almond extract; 2/3 cup honey; 1/3 cup pomegranate molasses (I used my homemade); Pomegranate arils for garnish; 6 ounce semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped; 1/3 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

Instructions

Gozinaki is a traditional Georgian candy made of caramelized nuts, usually walnuts, cooked in honey and served exclusively on New Year's Eve and Christmas. I like to make them also for Hanukkah and Purim. This candy is a perfect holiday gift for friends or neighbors; it is versatile, tasty and beautiful. You can make gozinaki with all kinds of nuts or seeds. In our family, I am known for playing with recipes and adding my own touch even to traditional dishes. This time I caramelized the walnuts in a combination of honey and pomegranate molasses, added dried apricot pieces soaked in dark rum and almond extract, and I also made a chocolate layer, which makes the slicing a lot easier and the candy even tastier.

Updated at: Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:11:19 GMT