This season's most curious nougats in Spain

Every year around this time, we approach the showcase of turrones with the feeling that it's impossible to surpass what we've seen in previous editions. And we're almost always wrong because nougat creativity has proven to be practically endless. This 2024 Christmas, the theme is strong, with nougats like the one with the flavor - and shape - of Donettes, the plankton-flavored one signed by, of course, Ángel León, the Cacaolat or Filipinos for the chocolate lovers, and even one that's, attention-grabbing, “coffee with milk in Main square”.

After gathering and testing more than twenty of them with the invaluable help of a small but hungry committee of sages, we are ready to choose the most original and flavorful ones for these celebrations.

What do we ask of a nougat? It depends on many things, of course. Because it will not be the same one from a supermarket for 3 or 5 euros as an artisan tablet from a pastry shop. Nor those who opt for classic versions seeking excellence or those who play at being cookies or attracting attention with quite surprising combinations.

So, in this first round of nougats inspired by cookies and familiar flavors, what we ask is that, besides being delicious, they taste like what they promise. For example, the Donettes one, the most striking bet this year from El Almendro nougats.

It costs around 5 euros, mimics the design of popular chocolate donuts, and is one of those that creates a lot of anticipation when placed on the table. Is it delicious? Of course, how could it not be? Does it taste like Donettes? With eyes closed and no references, it would be difficult to guess.

Something easier to recognize is the one from Filipinos that Nestlé introduced this year within its range. Chocolate with more chocolate and biscuit, so within this industrial and somewhat sloppy pastry, the truth is that it is good and very well achieved.

Cacaolat by Delaviuda is another sensation of the season, although we assume it is more popular in Catalonia, where this drink is well-known. There is so much chocolate here that it is hard to find nuances, but we are convinced that the most devoted fans will be able to distinguish, in the end, some hints of Cacaolat flavor.

Conguitos nougat is another one of those combinations that, when it comes to fun, can't go wrong. Lacasa has been offering this variety for a few years now, but this year adds a version with Conguitos and biscuit -a Digestive type, to be more precise- which makes it a bit hard to find similarities with those popular bites of chocolate and peanut.

Outside of the range of well-known cookies, the Banoffee pie from Aldi supermarkets will also delight the sweetest tooth. Chocolate, banana, and caramel for only 2.5 euros make it a good option in terms of price and originality. Another one based on a very popular dessert, Tiramisu, is the one from Virginias, which also promises zero added sugars. We already know -or should- that nougat is not and will not be healthy, but for those looking for these 0%, the brand offers a wide variety.

We continue with Lacasa because this brand offers the most fascinating nougat of the season: “coffee with milk in Main square.” It's not a joke. We also thought it was when we discovered it, but it exists as part of the range Nuestros Santos Turrones from this house.

Inspired by popular festivals, we are surely not the only ones to remember what Ana Botella used to say when she was the mayor of the city, something about the “relaxing cup of coffee with milk.” The thing is, even though we suspect that the coffees in Main square are not of specialty, this nougat with a caramel coffee flavor is quite tasty and delicious. As a unique gift with a political joke included, it's unbeatable.

This range also includes a nougat with chocolate and salt that pays tribute to Zaragoza - or to the Virgin of the Pillar, we read - and another one with cheese and quince that has convinced us much less. Each of these 150-gram bars costs less than 4 euros.

For those seeking local flavors, the Virginia's “vermouth nougat and potato chips” takes the aperitif hour to the world of nougat. The idea is interesting, capturing the bitter touch and alcohol of the vermouth along with the crunchiness of the chips, but it's not the most inviting for a second bite. In this case, the price increases to 14 euros for a 300-gram tablet.

From Tarragona, we head south to try another very curious one: the rice and saffron nougat that Quique Dacosta has designed for Torrons Vicens. Here, the opinions of the tasting panel differ among those who run away scared by the taste of saffron and those who know how to appreciate its balance and Mediterranean essence, thanks to the orange, which acts as a common thread.

Back in Catalonia, the Eukarya nougat liqueur, master chocolatier Lluc Crusellas' brand, stands out not only for its design and vibrant green color, but also for the quality of chocolate that is evident from the first bite. We prefer Eukarya's toffee flavor, which is less unique but one of the best we have tried this year. The 200-gram bar costs around 14 euros.

On that list of top products, there's also a spot for the Moscovitas nougat from the Rialto bakery in Oviedo. These cookies, which are a delight on their own, work wonderfully in this nougat format that can be ordered from anywhere outside of Asturias because they are available for purchase through Petra Mora. In dark or milk chocolate versions, a 250-gram bar costs a little over 14 euros.

The black beer from El Almendro with Estrella Galicia is another one of the most curious, although it hasn't been very successful in our particular tasting. A nougat, by the way, back and forth because a nougat beer from El Almendro has also been introduced, to round off the circle.

Ángel León, along with Torrons Vicens, creates two of the most unique nougats of this season. The plankton one is definitely the rarity of 2024. Green, with a marine flavor and not suitable for all tastes, it guarantees a surprise. Friendlier and truly delicious is the anise pancake nougat, also an idea from this chef.

Continuing with these chef-made nougats, Dabiz Muñoz is already a Christmas classic. To his range of nougats for El Corte Inglés this year, he adds the Häagen-Dazs Salted Caramel one. There are many nougat-flavored ice creams, but nougat ice cream is not common. And this one, creamy and rich in caramel with a touch of salt, is impossible not to like. Its price is almost 17 euros.

But if someone knows about original nougats, it's Albert Adrià, who has been creating flavors with Torrons Vicens for over a decade. This year, he has slightly deviated from the script with an idea that is the perfect gift to bring to any lunch or dinner: a box with five nougat creams designed to be served on wafers (included) or, in fact, on anything. Original and delicious, the pack costs 22 euros.

Jordi Roca is not missing from the Christmas appointment either. And doubly, because some of his nougats are available in his own range Rocambolesc and others in Torrons Vicens. The gingerbread biscuit one is one of our favorites, and the Anarkia, inspired by Roca's dessert of the same name, is a true cocoa overdose. In the best sense.

Complete Nandu Jubany's record with two of the best nougats we have tried this year: the burnt egg yolk one does not pretend to be original, but simply delicious. And it succeeds. The fritters one is also highly recommended, especially for those familiar with this veteran dessert from Can Jubany.

Those who, when faced with this display of nougat creativity, feel intimidated can always seek refuge in the classics. The Jubany ones for Torrons Vicens, for instance, aim for a more artisanal and classic format, at a moderate price.

The proposal from Mi Primer Pastel is even more unique, as it is a bakery specialized in lactose and sugar-free sweets that also ventures into making nougat. Made with fruits and available in four flavors, these treats are halfway between a cake and a chocolate bar, offering a great alternative.

The nougats from the century-old La Campana in Barcelona never disappoint, moving within traditional flavors and showcasing their craftsmanship in versions like the nougat with marzipan, walnuts, and pistachios.

In L'Atelier, also in Barcelona, the Cascanueces nougat in the shape of a soldier from this classic work and filled with cookie and salted ratafia caramel stands out as one of the most creative and beautiful of the year. Also worth noting are those from Zaguirre, in Terrassa, who besides their burnt egg yolk nougat - chosen as the best in the country this year - offer a wide range of artisan nougats.

And for those who prefer cheese over nougat, they are in luck because this year Jon Cake - the most famous cheesecakes in Barcelona - is repeating last year's idea and launching a special Christmas edition of cheesecake with Can Soler nougat from Badalona.