Hi Everyone,
Looking to make a last-minute holiday gift or need a hostess gift? I have the perfect, easy recipe for you. Not only is it easy to make, tastes amazing and it’s less expensive to make, then it is to buy from your favorite candy store. Oh the recipe is Cashew Brittle. OMG! It is so good. I am so proud of this recipe because I have made it before and it has turned out too chewy, but not this recipe, this one is candy store quality.
The brittle is sweet, crispy, breaks easily and perfect for those nut lovers in your life. I made it with cashews, but any kind of nut will do. Maybe pistachios, almonds or pecans, or mix it all up? Heck if you want to get all crazy you can also dip it in chocolate, yum! I should have done that, but I kind of like it more plain.
The key to the recipe is having a candy thermometer. I had one that just didn’t work well and it was to hard to read. I bought a new one last year and I am now finally using it. To make, all you do is take butter, sugar, water and corn syrup and place in a large pot. Bring it to 300 degrees, add baking soda, mix and stir in the nuts. Here’s the hard part. Pour the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet that has been smeared with butter and pour the hot mixture onto the baking sheet. As quickly as you can, because it gets hard super fast, spread the mixture as thin as you can. I got some thicker pieces, but that’s ok. Let it cool for an hour and break into pieces. That’s all. This recipe makes about 2 pounds of brittle. Makes for a perfect gift.
- 1 stick butter, unsalted
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 12 oz cashews, lightly salted
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with butter. Set aside.
- In a large pot, over medium-high heat add butter, sugar, water and corn syrup bring to a boil. (Be sure to add the candy thermometer.) Cook until it turns a caramel color and reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit, about 10 minutes.
- Take off the heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture may bubble up. Stir in nuts. Quickly pour mixture onto prepared baking pan. Spread evenly with a spoon sprayed with cooking spray. Let it cool for at least one hour. Break into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container.
This recipe is simply perfect. I can’t get over how good it turned out. The hard part is, is giving it away as a gift. You could place this in a pretty box, tied with a ribbon. It will sure to please whomever you give it to. Nothing beats a gift made from the heart.
Have a great day!
Toodles,
Jennifer
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