Almond Brittle Recipe: Tips for Making Almond Brittle
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Aug 11, 2023 • 3 min read
Almond brittle is an old-fashioned candy that consists of a series of pantry staples and almonds hardened into a crackable sheet. Read on for an easy and customizable almond brittle recipe.
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What Is Almond Brittle?
Almond brittle is a crunchy, sweet-and-savory candy that incorporates simple pantry staples like sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and toasted almonds. Historians trace the origins of peanut brittle to the Southern United States in the late nineteenth century—it is a precursor to other nut brittles like pistachio and walnut.
6 Tips for Making Almond Brittle
Once you get the hang of this tasty old-fashioned treat, you’ll find yourself craving homemade almond brittle after every meal. Follow these tips to make the most of your almond brittle.
- 1. Mix and match nuts. An almond brittle recipe is endlessly customizable. Try using chopped peanuts, cashews, pecans, and walnuts as your base. Add cocoa powder to the sugar mixture to create a tasty chocolate almond brittle.
- 2. Use room-temperature butter. Adding cold butter to your candy mixture will cause the candy to cool too quickly, resulting in a chunky mixture that won’t crisp up properly.
- 3. Ready your ingredients. Have all your ingredients prepped and within your reach before cooking your candy. This way, you can immediately access the components when the time comes.
- 4. Use a candy thermometer. Invest in a candy thermometer for consistently crunchy brittle. This tool hooks to the side of the pot and gives you an accurate real-time reading of the candy’s temperature. Learn how to use a candy thermometer.
- 5. Keep an eye on the sugar. Monitor the sugar as it cooks, or you’ll run the risk of burning it.
- 6. Store properly. This crunchy treat will keep for months if stored properly. Store the almond brittle in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three months. If you live in a high-humidity area, store the brittle in the refrigerator to keep it crispy.
How to Use Almond Brittle
This caramelized treat makes an excellent crunchy topping for a variety of desserts. Break the brittle into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle it atop creamy dishes like ice cream, pudding, and frozen yogurt for texture.
Use the brittle to top a galette, crumble, or streusel for some sweet crunch or crush a few pieces and sprinkle them on soft sugar cookies for a decadent bite.
Easy Almond Brittle Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
25 mincook time
15 minIngredients
Note: The total time does not include 30 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the chopped almonds and toast them until they are golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set the toasted almonds aside.
- 2
Grease a quarter cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- 3
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- 4
Use a wooden spoon to stir the sugar mixture continuously until the sugar has dissolved. Submerge a candy thermometer or food thermometer to test the mixture’s temperature. Allow your candy to reach 300 degrees Fahrenheit, which is called the hard crack stage.
- 5
Once the candy hits 300 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the baking soda, vanilla extract, room temperature butter, and toasted almonds.
- 6
Quickly pour the hot candy onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula or two forks, spread the almond brittle out into a thin, even layer, about ¼-inch thick.
- 7
Allow the almond brittle to cool at room temperature until the sheet is completely hard, about 30 minutes.
- 8
Break the brittle into pieces and transfer to an airtight container to store.
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