🍯 How to Make a Delicious & Powerful Nut Brittle (Almonds & Peanuts) 🍬

🍯Introduction

If you love sweet, crunchy treats that feature a nutty kick, this guide on how to make Nut Brittle is exactly for you. In this post, you’ll discover how to prepare a truly delightful almonds & peanuts brittle – think golden caramel, toasted nuts, and that satisfying snap when you break it. Yes, we’re going deep into the homemade nut brittle recipe, covering everything from ingredients to presentation. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to create crunchy nut brittle snack perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 😊

• It’s simple to prepare but looks and tastes like a gourmet confection. Making your own nut brittle means you control quality and flavour.
• The combination of almonds & peanuts gives you a rich, nutty base with both tree‐nut and legume variety – twice the crunch and twice the flavour.
• Homemade nut brittle makes a fantastic gift or special treat – you can package pieces in jars or cellophane bags and share your sweet creation.
• With this how to make nut brittle, you’ll master the technique for caramelising sugar and embedding nuts beautifully.
• It’s versatile: once you know how to make nut brittle, you can adapt flavours (salt, spice, extra nuts) and treat it your way.

🥜 Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup raw almonds (whole or halves): Provide a smooth, buttery-nutty flavour and texture to your nut brittle.
• 1 cup raw peanuts (shelled, unsalted preferred): Adds robust flavour and crunch; the legume-nut contrast complements the almonds.
• 2 cups granulated sugar: The base for the caramel that binds the nuts and gives that signature brittle snap.
• ½ cup light corn syrup (or glucose syrup): Helps prevent sugar crystals and ensures a smooth caramel texture.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances flavour, balances sweetness.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the brittle.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A finishing flavour note for complexity.
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Introduced at the end to aerate the caramel slightly for easier breaking into pieces.

🍯Equipment Needed

• Heavy-bottomed saucepan: To heat sugar reliably without burning.
• Candy thermometer (optional but recommended): For accuracy when reaching “hard-crack” stage (around 300 °F / 150 °C).
• Large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat: To pour and cool the brittle.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: For stirring caramel and nuts.
• Oven mitts or heat-proof gloves: Handling hot caramel safely.
• Sharp knife or cooked brittle piece to break: After cooling, to break into pieces for serving.

Step-by-Step Guide 🧁

🔥Step 1: Toast the Nuts

• Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
• Spread the almonds and peanuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Toast for about 8-10 minutes until fragrant; be careful not to burn.
• Remove and set aside.
  (Toasting brings out the nut oils and heightens the flavour in your nut brittle.)

🍬Step 2: Prepare Caramel

• In the heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and salt.
• Stir gently until the sugar dissolves. Attach a candy thermometer if using.
• Continue heating without stirring (you can swirl gently) until the mixture reaches about 300 °F (150 °C) — the “hard-crack” stage. (Wikipedia)
• At this point, quickly remove from heat.

🧈Step 3: Add Butter, Vanilla & Nuts

• Immediately stir in the butter and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Pour in the toasted almonds & peanuts and stir quickly to coat all nuts evenly in the caramel.

💨Step 4: (Optional) Add Baking Soda & Pour

• If using baking soda: sprinkle it in now and stir – this will cause a bit of foaming and lighten the brittle texture.
• Quickly pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out evenly to about ¼-inch thickness.

❄️Step 5: Cool & Break into Pieces

• Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature (about 30-40 minutes) until firm.
• Once cool, use a sharp knife or your hands to break the nut brittle into irregular pieces.
• Store in an airtight container to keep crisp.

✅Your Nut Brittle is ready to enjoy!🎉 

Tips for a Perfect Result✨

• Use a heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even heat distribution and avoid hotspots that can burn caramel.
• If you don’t have a candy thermometer, watch for caramel colour: aim for a deep amber, not too dark (which becomes bitter).
• Work quickly once sugar reaches the hard-crack stage – the mixture cools fast and hardens rapidly.
• Spread the brittle onto a straight edge to get a uniform slab for even pieces.
• To get clean breaks, allow the brittle to cool fully before breaking.
• Store in a cool, dry place – humidity can cause the brittle to soften.
• Add a pinch of sea salt on top after pouring (optional) for a sweet-salty contrast.

Serving Suggestion🎉

Serve your nut brittle pieces as a crunchy snack, or package them in small cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gifting. They also pair wonderfully with coffee or tea, or crumbled over ice cream for extra texture. You can also serve alongside other homemade sweets at festive gatherings – the how to make nut brittle method gives you a ready crowd-pleaser.

🌈Variations

• 🔥Spiced Nut Brittle: Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the caramel for a warm, spicy twist.
• 🍫Chocolate-Drizzled Brittle: After cooling, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the brittle and let it set – adds richness and flavour contrast.
• 🥜Mixed Nuts Brittle: Swap or add cashews, pecans or walnuts to the almonds & peanuts for variety.
• 🧂Salted Caramel Nut Brittle: Sprinkle flaked sea salt immediately after pouring the brittle for a gourmet sweet-salty finish.
• 🌻Nut-Free Brittles: For allergy-friendly versions, you could use seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) instead of almonds/peanuts (note: this strays from the almonds & peanuts brittle focus).

🧾 Nutritional Information (Approx. per 30 g Serving)

🔗 Source: SnapCalorie – Penut Brittle↗

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)¹
Calories	~147 kcal	—
Total Fat	~9 g	~12%
Saturated Fat	~2 g	~10%
Total Carbohydrate	~14 g	~5%
Sugars	~10 g	—
Protein	~3 g	~6%

Daily Values based on a 2,000 kcal diet.
According to SnapCalorie, one cup (224 g) of peanut brittle contains approx. 1097.6 calories, with 20.2 g protein, 49.3 g fat, and 145.6 g carbohydrates
Note: These values are estimates for the home-made version; actual nutrition will vary depending on the size of pieces and specific ingredients used.

🥗 Health Benefits & Advice

While our homemade nut brittle is clearly a sweet treat (and should be enjoyed in moderation), the inclusion of almonds and peanuts brings in some noteworthy nutrition benefits.

1. Nuts are high in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals. For example, almonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium and calcium.
2. Peanuts bring protein, folate, and minerals like magnesium and iron.

Advice:
That said, because nut brittle also contains added sugar and is calorie-dense, treat it as an occasional indulgence. Individuals with nut allergies must avoid this recipe, and those monitoring sugar intake should portion carefully.

Note: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓

Q: Can I use roasted nuts instead of raw?
A: Yes—if you use already-roasted almonds & peanuts, just be careful during the toasting step since they may brown faster. Using raw allows you to control the flavour and toast timing yourself.

Q: My caramel crystallised and became grainy. What did I do wrong?
A: That happens if the sugar syrup is disturbed while heating or if impurities are present. Use a clean pan, stir only at the start, and avoid splashing sugar on the sides. Covering the pan briefly helps melt sugar crystals.

Q: How thick should I pour the brittle?
A: Aim for about ¼-inch (6–7 mm) thickness for an ideal snap. Much thicker and it becomes hard to break; much thinner and it may shatter too easily.

Q: Can I substitute honey for corn syrup?
A: You can experiment, but corn syrup (or glucose syrup) helps prevent crystallisation and yields a reliable texture for brittle. Using honey may change taste and texture, requiring adjustments.

Q: How long will the nut brittle keep?
A: Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, your nut brittle will stay crisp for up to 2–3 weeks. If the humidity is high, its texture may soften.

💬Final Thought

Mastering how to make Nut Brittle is a rewarding kitchen project that results in a gorgeous, crunchy, nut-packed treat featuring almonds & peanuts. With just a few simple ingredients, the right technique, and some care, you’ll create sweet brittle that’s perfect for gifting, snacking or celebrating. Enjoy the process, savour every crackle, and share the crunchy joy! 🍬

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