A Spanish chocolate treat that tastes like the holidays
Turrón de chocolate is a taste of childhood Christmas
For the Spaniards out there, this recipe will take you to a place deep in your memory. Turrón de chocolate, most famously sold in Spain under the brand Suchard, is something we all look forward to year round. Don’t take it from me…here are the memories of some of my Spanish friends (and one of my daughters!)
Patricia Blanco, one of our R&D chefs who you’ve met before, says that “For me, turrón Suchard means Christmas, since you only can find it during the holiday season. Everyone knows the song from the commercial. When I was a kid, my siblings and I would look for the turrón in the kitchen for days but my parents used to hide it so that we could have it for Christmas and not eat it all before then. We used to put some pieces and some other things like mantecados, clementines, carrots, etc. for Santa Claus and the reindeer the night before Christmas. They love it. Even now that we’re all grown up, we never pass the opportunity to have that turrón at the table.”
Ramon Martinez, who is the executive chef of all of our Jaleo restaurants, says “Suchard was one of my favorites, but my family would never buy it . So I was always excited to be in other people house to eat the Suchard there like there was no tomorrow!”
My oldest daughter Carlota has something to say as well…! “Suchard is my favorite candy in the whole entire world. We would always be sent Suchard from our family in Spain, or after a trip during the holidays we would bring back a bunch. We would count out a certain number of bars for each person, and write our names on them, to make sure no one touched anyone else’s Suchard. But my sisters and I couldn’t help ourselves…after we would finish—it was maybe 6 per person—my sisters and I would go and take from our parents’ stash, and eat all of that. I definitely got in trouble a couple of times, but you can’t resist Suchard, it’s just too good.”
Carlota!!! I still can’t believe you would take our Suchard…!
For the rest of you, it’s time to add this treat to your holiday table! It’s incredibly easy to make—you can probably put it together in under 15 minutes, then chill it for an hour or two (or overnight), so in theory you could make a batch during halftime of a football game (American or European…as long as you’re watching Barça!) and you’ll be eating it to celebrate victory. Or if football isn’t your thing, you could make it during the intermission of The Nutcracker and enjoy it before the last curtain.
This recipe uses frosted Rice Krispies—maybe not something you will usually buy, but the extra sugar coating on the cereal keeps it crispy longer after being coated in chocolate. Normal Rice Krispies work too, they’ll make a less sweet version (which you might like) and it might not stay crisp as long, but you’ll just have to eat it or give it away more quickly.
So…make some turrón de chocolate now and you’ll want to make it again and again (you’ll have to use up that whole box of Krispies!)—give some to your neighbors, bring some to the holiday party, save a plate for Santa.
Turrón De Chocolate
Makes 1 pound of turrón