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This Nut Brittle recipe uses salted mixed nuts for a delicious twist on the holiday classic. Package this candy up to give as a sweet holiday hostess gift.
This post is sponsored by Challenge Dairy. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.
Is it really the holidays without candy?
I know that everyone always talks about making Christmas cookies, and the season doesn’t feel complete without several batches of Peanut Butter Blossoms or Molasses Cookies. But there’s something about candy that really rounds out the holidays.
From Turtle Fudge to Homemade Marshmallows to Bourbon Maple Salted Caramels, holiday candies are fun to make and even more fun to package up as gifts.
My Nana always had tins of peanut brittle for us to snack on while we baked for the holidays and Nut Brittle still takes me back to those childhood moments of baking with her to this day.
NUT BRITTLE RECIPE
Even though peanut brittle is the classic, you guys know I like to shake things up around here every now and then.
So instead of reaching for just peanuts for this Nut Brittle recipe, I reached instead for salted mixed nuts.
You can use your favorite mixture to include what you like best. Cashews? Pecans? Walnuts? Almonds? They’re all welcome here – just make sure they’re salted and that you give them a coarse chop to break up any bigger nuts into smaller pieces.
In addition to reaching for a mix of nuts, I also pulled out my favorite Challenge butter to make this Nut Brittle.
Challenge Dairy has been one of my partners for years because I truly love all of their products – everything they make, from their butter to their cream cheese spreads, is amazing.
In fact, they are the only dairy product company that controls the whole process from milking the cows, to transporting milk, to packaging the product. How awesome is that?
HOW DO YOU MAKE NUT BRITTLE?
Candy making freaks some people out, but I’ve got a couple of recommendations to make the whole process easier.
First: Please, please don’t skip using a candy thermometer.
Making Nut Brittle, like any candy, seems to go slowly until it doesn’t. That means that you’ll sit around waiting for the sugar to come to the right temperature and then suddenly – boom! – it’ll be ready for the next step.
Using a good candy thermometer will help you keep an eye on the process so you know where it’s at and will help you make sure you don’t over- or under-cook the Nut Brittle.
Second: Measure out and organize your ingredients before you start the cooking process.
Remember how I said that making Nut Brittle goes slowly until it doesn’t? The final ingredients all get added very quickly at the end, and you won’t have time to measure them out as you add them.
Having the butter, vanilla and baking soda ready to go will let you add them as soon as the thermometer reads 300°F.
Don’t let making candy intimidate you or stop you from trying your hand at making Nut Brittle this holiday season. It’s the perfect candy to package up as holiday hostess gifts or to snack on by yourself while you wrap presents.
You know what? On second thought, you better make two batches. I think you’re gonna need them.
Nut Brittle
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup salted mixed nuts coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons CHALLENGE salted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Since this recipe moves quickly, I recommend you measure out and organize your ingredients before you start the cooking process.
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Add in mixed nuts and stir until combined.
- Place a candy thermometer into the mixture and continue cooking, stirring frequently until temperature reaches 300°F.
- Immediately remove saucepan from heat and quickly stir in butter, vanilla, and baking soda.
- Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a rubber spatula, spread the mixture into a rectangle about 14x12 inches.
- Cool completely at room temperature.
- Snap candy into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You say the nuts must be salted. Can I use unsalted ones and add sea salt or regular iodized salt? If so, how much? Also would I be able to use pistachios if I roll them around a little to get the loose husk off? I have some that are shelled & would like to try them.
Hi Susan – I have not tried this particular recipe with that substitution, so I can’t say for sure the exact adjustments you’d need to make. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Happy baking!
Jamie
Awesome recipe! I made this for my Christmas gift tins. It was super easy and looks amazing. I will be making this again.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Sam! Merry Christmas!
Can I use dark corn syrup? Will it just make the brittle darker? I worked in a fudge shop when I was young and we made this in those huge copper kettles and poured it out on the marble tables. It was so delicious warm. So happy to find and try this recipe!
I have not tried this recipe with dark corn syrup.
@Beth, I just finished a batch using dark corn syrup rather than light. No noticeable difference that I could say.
Really yummy
Using in All dessert decorations and while I am having a Cup a tea or coffee
Thanks so much for stopping by, James! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Glucose syrup works in Australia- same quantities…..made 2 batches today and it keeps disappearing!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lauren! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Peanut brittle reminds me of my Grandma….but I’m not a huge fan of just peanuts. I love that I can make this with mixed nuts…the nostalgia is still there, but it’s a better taste for me. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by, April! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
When it comes to gifting candy at Christmas-time, nothing beats homemade nut brittle! This is a fantastic recipe that I will use again and again!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jillian! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Hi, is it possible to replace corn syrup, as it is not readily available in Europe.
Eg golden syrup?
Glucose syrup??
Thanks
Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe without corn syrup and am not very familiar with the products available in Europe, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
@Jamie, I tried it with honey.
at exactly what temperature do you add the nuts? I am afraid they will burn if you put them in too soon.
Hi there – I add them as soon as the other ingredients are dissolved, before I even add the candy thermometer. I have not had any issues with the nuts burning! Hope this helps.
Jamie
I love nut brittle! Looks like the perfect Christmas treat ♥
Thanks so much for stopping by, Natalie! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie