Makes: About 1 pound
Time: About 20 minutes, plus time to cool
You won’t believe how easy brittles are; you can whip one up in no time, and there’s no need for a thermometer. Vary as you like with different nuts; mix in seeds and/or spices; or make it over-the-top by dipping it in chocolate.
1. Use the butter to grease a baking sheet, preferably one with a low rim.
2. Put the sugar and ⅓ cup water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves and becomes a nutty caramel color but is not yet dark brown, anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. Resist the urge to stir, which can cause the sugar to crystallize and create lumps, but you can swirl the pan if the sugar is cooking unevenly. If there’s a lot of sugar clinging to the sides of the pot, use a brush dipped in water to wash it back down. Watch carefully, as sugar has a tendency to burn the second you turn your back on it.
3. Stir in the peanuts and the salt if you’re using it; stir until combined, then remove from the heat and immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely at room temperature, then break into pieces. (To make even squares, score the brittle with a sharp knife once it’s solidified slightly but before it has hardened.) Store in a covered container indefinitely.
POPCORN BRITTLE Even crunchier—and more addictive—than caramel corn: Pop about ¼ cup popcorn kernels; you should have about 4 cups popcorn. Put the popcorn in a large heatproof bowl and pour the caramel over it. Toss to coat, working quickly so the sugar doesn’t harden, and immediately spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, using a greased piece of parchment to press it into a thin and even layer if necessary.
MAPLE-WALNUT BRITTLE Tastes like autumn: Decrease the sugar to 1½ cups and the water to ¼ cup; substitute 2 cups chopped toasted walnuts (see page 57) for the peanuts. Add ½ cup pure maple syrup just before adding the nuts and salt.
ROSEMARY–PINE NUT BRITTLE An elegant, unusual treat, perfect for grown-ups: Swap the peanuts for pine nuts and add ¼ teaspoon salt along with 1 tablespoon minced rosemary leaves.
8 Things to Add to Brittle
Stir these into the hot caramel in addition to or in lieu of the peanuts, and mix and match as you like—sesame seeds with five-spice powder and macadamia with coconut are both good, for example—but keep it simple so the flavors don’t muddy, with no more than 2 to 2½ cups of mix-ins.