Recipe

Homemade Walnut Churchkhela

Delicious Georgian Walnut Candy: Homemade Churchkhela

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the rich flavors of Georgian cuisine with this homemade Walnut Churchkhela recipe. This traditional Georgian candy is made by threading walnuts onto a string and dipping them into a sweet grape juice mixture. It is a delightful treat that showcases the unique culinary heritage of Georgia.

Dessert› Churchkhela

Asian cuisine› Arab cuisine› Caucasian cuisine› Georgian cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

0 minutes (drying time: 24-48 hours)

Total time

24-48 hours (including drying time)

Yields

12 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if using vegan grape juice), Gluten-free (if using gluten-free flour)

Allergens

Walnuts

Not suitable for

Nut allergies

Ingredients

2 cups (240g) walnuts 2 cups (240g) walnuts
1 cup (240ml) grape juice 1 cup (240ml) grape juice
1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Cooking twine or string Cooking twine or string

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 1g)
Carbohydrates: 16g (Sugar: 8g)
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1.
In a large bowl, combine the grape juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix well until the sugar and flour are fully dissolved.
2.
Take a long piece of cooking twine or string and tie a knot at one end. Thread the walnuts onto the string, leaving a small gap between each walnut.
3.
Dip the threaded walnuts into the grape juice mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Use a spoon to help coat the walnuts evenly.
4.
Hang the coated walnuts in a cool, dry place and allow them to dry for 24-48 hours, or until the coating becomes firm and sticky.
5.
Once the Churchkhela is dry, cut the string between each walnut to separate them into individual candies.
6.
Store the Walnut Churchkhela in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Walnuts — Ensure that the walnuts are fresh and of good quality. You can lightly toast the walnuts before threading them onto the string to enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

If the grape juice mixture is too thin, you can add a little more flour to thicken it.
For a variation, you can use different types of nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts.
To add extra flavor, you can sprinkle some crushed pistachios or sesame seeds on the wet coating before drying the Churchkhela.

Serving advice

Serve the Walnut Churchkhela as a delightful snack or dessert. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee. You can also present it on a platter during festive gatherings or wrap it in colorful paper as a homemade gift.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Walnut Churchkhela on a serving dish in an attractive pattern, showcasing their unique shape and colors. You can tie a decorative ribbon around the top of each candy to add a festive touch.