Estimated and estimated! Welcome to Paulina cuisine and a new installment of this recipe blog, a portal at home food. Today we bring you a Chilean delight for lovers of sweet cakes: Kuchen de Nuez .
In the vast repertoire of desserts that Chile has to offer, the Kuchen de Nuez Valdiviano stands out as a true southern delight that conquers palates with its perfect mixture of nuts and its spongy base.
Today we are going to review all the details on this nut , from its origin, its characteristics, the best tips to prepare it and, of course, a walnut Kuchen recipe with all the details to make it at home and enjoy its unmistakable flavor.
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About the nut Kuchen
The nut Kuchen is a fundamental piece of Chilean pastry, recognized for its exquisite combination of textures and flavors. It is a preparation that fuses the crocancy of the nut with a soft and slightly sweet dough, resulting in a dessert that can be enjoyed both at tea time and or as a gold clasp of a special meal.
This nut foot is ideal for those who seek to explore traditional flavors with a touch of nostalgia and warmth. Preparing it is an experience that is not only enjoyed with the palate, but also connects with the cultural roots of a region rich in history and culinary tradition.
Origin of the Valdivian nut Kuchen
The origin of the Valdivian nut , has its roots in German migration that occurred during the nineteenth century in Chile. During that period, a considerable number of Germans settled in the Valdivia and its surroundings, looking for new opportunities and establishing themselves in fertile and adequate lands for agriculture.
The settlers brought not only their culture and traditions , but also their kitchen skills. Among the recipes that adapted to the Chilean context were various varieties of cakes and cakes, known in German as "Kuchen."
This term, translates as a cake or cake in German, and in Chile it has been maintained as a broad denomination for several types of baked cakes, such as the nut Kuchen or the apple kuchen .
Walnut Kuchena or Kuchen with German origin
Today, the nut Kuchen remains a symbol of German inheritance in Chile, especially in the south of the country, where it is appreciated as part of the regional culinary identity .
- The influence of German migration has left an indelible brand in Chilean cuisine. It is also only one of the many examples of how history and migration have molded the gastronomic culture of the South American nation.
The adaptation of European recipes, such as apple strudel or Kuchen, to the Chilean context not only allowed settlers to conserve their culinary traditions Chile's gastronomic diversity , incorporating new ingredients and techniques that merged with local products and flavors.
5 characteristics of nut Kuchen
- Crispy and soft texture: The upper walnut layer adds a crunchy contrast to the softness of the dough.
- Sweet balance: it is not cloying; The sweetness is perfectly balanced between the dough and the nut.
- Nice aroma: when baking, the aroma of toasted nuts spread throughout the kitchen, creating a sensory experience from the beginning.
- Versatility: It can be served both hot and cold, accompanied by cream or ice cream.
- Cultural value: It is part of the Chilean culinary identity, especially in the south of the country, where its traditional tradition and flavor is appreciated.
The basis to make nut Kuchen
Kuchen de Nuez recipe process implies a series of careful steps that include the selection of fresh ingredients, the preparation of the appropriate mass and the precise cooking to achieve the desired texture and taste. It is essential to master each step to obtain an optimal final result.
The basic ingredients of the nut Kuchen include flour, sugar, eggs, chopped nuts, condensed milk and butter, among others. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in the texture and final taste of this delicious nut tartlet .
When to enjoy nut Kuchen with cream in Chile
In Chile, this nut foot is commonly enjoyed in family gatherings, festive celebrations such as Christmas or Birthday, and in local coffee shops such as a sweet accompaniment for the afternoon coffee. It is a versatile dessert that adapts to various social and personal situations.
Given its roots in the German-Chilean culture in the south of the country, the nut Kuchen with cream also stands out in local festivities and cultural events that celebrate culinary traditions. It is common to find it at gastronomic fairs or festivals where European inheritance in Chilean cuisine .
Valdivian nut Kuchen dough
Kuchen's mass is different from that of other desserts. It is soft and slightly sweet, but firm enough to hold the nuts without getting rid of cutting it. This mass is essential for the success of the recipe and must be handled carefully to obtain the desired texture.
- Some of its characteristics are its crunchy and brittle consistency , its slightly sweet taste, but not too much, to complement the filling. In some cases, a pinch of salt can be added to highlight flavors.
The typical ingredients of this dough include flour, butter, sugar and eggs . According to the filling, baking powder can be added for a more tender mass.
6 tips for a tasty nut Kuchen
- Fresh and quality nuts: Use fresh nuts and toast them slightly before incorporating them into the mixture if they are very soft.
- Control the baking: Do not overcome the kuchen to prevent nuts from burning and dough drying out.
- Accompaniment: Accompany the Kuchen with chantilly cream or vanilla ice cream to highlight the taste and balance sweetness.
- Rest before serving: nut Kuchen rest before cutting it so that the flavors settle.
- Adequate storage: keep it in a cool and dry place to maintain freshness for a longer time.
- Decoration: It can be decorated with caramelized nuts to provide more texture.
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Kuchen de Nuez recipe
Yield: 8/10 portions
Preparation time: 1 hour
Ingredients
For the mass of the Kuchen:
- 2 flour cups (240 g)
- 1/2 cup of sugar (100 g)
- 1/2 cup of cold butter (115 g)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
For filling:
- 1 cup of chopped nuts (125 g)
- 1 cup condensed milk (250 ml) ( recipe to make it homemade)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- Whipped cream (optional to accompany)
How to do walnut Kuchen step by step
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Add the cold butter cut into cubes and work with your fingers or with a dough cutter until you get a sandy mixture.
- Add the egg and mix until the dough is one. If necessary, add a tablespoon of cold water to help unite the dough.
- Form a ball with the dough, wrap with film and cool for 30 minutes.
- Extend the dough with a roller on a slightly floured surface and line a cake mold of approximately 24 cm in diameter.
- Click the bottom of the dough with a fork and bake 10-12 minutes in an oven preheated at 180ºC, or until slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
The stuff of nut Kuchen
- In a bowl, beat the eggs. Add condensed milk, vanilla essence and mix well.
- Incorporate the chopped nuts (some can be reserved to decorate) and mix gently. Pour the nut mixture on the basis of precooked dough.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the filling is firm and golden. Let cool before unmolding. Cut into portions and serve with a spoonful of whipped cream.
