Ginger-Walnut Pralines

This year, I decided to make a few pralines to add to my christmas cookies selection. This particular pralines are made up of ground walnuts, marzipan and icing sugar, coated with chocolate and decorated with a slice of candied ginger.

Ingredients (yields about 40 pcs):
100 g icing sugar, to be sifted
100 g walnuts, to be finely chopped
400 g marzipan
1 tsp rum (optional) - I added rose essence instead

400 g milk chocolate couverture
candied ginger, to be cut into sticks

Method:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, add icing sugar, marzipan, chopped walnuts and rum. By using the dough hook, knead mixture to form a dough.

Roll out marzipan dough to a thickness of 1 cm.  By using a sharp knife or a cookie cutter, cut shapes of your choice.  Arrange on a baking tray which is lined with baking paper.

In a bain marie (Wasserbad), melt couverture over low heat.  By using a special praline fork, place a marzipan piece on it and dip into the couverture.  Remove and place on a wire rack.  Place a candied ginger on top and leave overnight to dry.

Once the couverture has set, remove and store in cookie tin where each layer is lined with pergament paper.

Bon Appetit!