Torrone is a traditional Italian confection associated especially with the Christmas season. Edible wafer sheets, known in Italy as ostia, are often used above and below the nougat mixture to help contain it and make it easier to handle.
What are edible wafer sheets?
Edible wafer sheets are thin, neutral-tasting sheets made from a simple batter. The homemade version already documented in this article uses water, flour and oil and requires a suitable wafer iron. Ready-made sheets are a practical alternative when that equipment is not available.
Besides nougat, wafer sheets can be used as edible supports or decorations for cakes and other sweets. Ready-made wafer sheets for nougat and wafer decorations are available in different shapes.
Homemade edible wafer sheets
Edible wafer sheets made with water, flour and oil using a suitable wafer iron.
As explained above, ready-made wafer sheets let you skip this step; making them at home requires a suitable wafer iron.
Ingredients
- 1 litre water
- 500 g flour
- oil as needed
Method
- Sift the flour thoroughly.
- Add the water a little at a time and mix to prevent lumps, until the batter is smooth and even.
- Grease a suitable wafer iron with oil and heat it on the stove.
- Pour the batter into the hot wafer iron and cook it on both sides.
- Carefully remove the wafer sheet and leave it to cool. Cover it with absorbent paper and place a weight on top so it keeps its shape.
The homemade wafer sheets are now ready.
How to use edible wafer sheets in pastry
Wafer sheets are used both in traditional confectionery and for decoration. In torrone they form an edible outer layer around the mixture; in decorated cakes they provide lightweight shapes such as flowers, leaves and butterflies.
Torrone
Traditional torrone commonly combines egg whites, honey, sugar and nuts such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts or hazelnuts. Hard and soft versions differ in texture and preparation. The existing step-by-step torrone recipe is available separately.
Puglian filled wafers
A traditional Puglian sweet made with wafer sheets, honey, almonds and sugar.
Ingredients
- wafer sheets
- 300 g honey
- 500 g shelled almonds
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Method
- Toast the almonds in a non-stick frying pan.
- In another pan, melt the honey and sugar until they form a caramel.
- Mix the almonds thoroughly with the caramel, then fill the wafer sheets.
- Leave the filled wafers to cool under a weight so that the layers adhere properly.
In some versions, the filling is flavoured with cinnamon and cloves for a spicier taste.
Decorative wafer sheets
Edible wafer can also be cut or formed into cake decorations. Because the sheets are light and neutral in flavour, they are suitable for decorative flowers, leaves, butterflies and personalised shapes.
Whether used around nougat or as a decoration, choose the sheet format that suits the preparation and follow the recipe or product instructions for the intended use.
