Spicy Pecan Brittle Recipes

FALL SALAD WITH SPICY BRITTLE

Steps:

• For the spicy brittle: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat the sugar, corn syrup, butter and 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the sugar has melted. Stop stirring and continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly, until the mixture reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. While this is cooking, combine the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne in a small bowl.
• Carefully, but moving quickly, stir the almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios and spice mixture into the sugar syrup until the nuts are coated. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out as evenly as possible using the back of a spoon. Sprinkle over the sea salt. Allow to cool completely, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. When cool, break into shards.
• For the salad: Fry the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
• When ready to serve, arrange the salad on a large platter in layers: escarole, radicchio, carrots, apples, onion, raisins and bacon.
• Heat the skillet with the bacon fat over medium heat. Add the vinaigrette, mustard and honey and cook, stirring, until warm. Pour the dressing over the salad. Arrange the spicy brittle shards over the top. Serve immediately.

PECAN BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat. Mix together baking soda, 1 teaspoon water, and vanilla in a small bowl; set aside.
• Mix together sugar, 1 cup water, and corn syrup in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) on a candy thermometer, or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water and placed on a flat surface, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in pecans and butter. Heat to 300 degrees F (149 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads, about 13 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in reserved baking soda mixture, until candy is light and foamy.
• Pour mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and allow to cool until hardened, 1 to 2 hours. Break into pieces.

PECAN BRITTLE

Steps:

• Grease a 15x10x1-in. pan with 2 teaspoons butter; set aside. , In a 2-qt. microwave-safe glass dish, combine sugar and corn syrup. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). , Add pecans. Microwave for 4 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). Mixture will be very hot. Vigorously stir in the baking soda, vanilla and remaining butter until blended. , Quickly pour into prepared pan; spread with a metal spatula as thin as possible. Cool completely; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

MICROWAVE PECAN BRITTLE

Steps:

• Butter a baking sheet.
• Combine pecans, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a glass 4-cup measuring cup.
• Heat in microwave for 3 1/2 minutes; stir and heat for 3 1/2 more minutes. Stir butter into pecan mixture and heat in microwave for 2 more minutes.
• Stir baking soda and vanilla extract into pecan mixture until foamy; pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow to cool completely before breaking brittle into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

BEST PECAN BRITTLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Butter a rimmed baking sheet and offset spatula; set both aside.
• Combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, occasionally stirring, until sugar is dissolved.
• Add corn syrup and increase heat to high. Continue to cook without stirring until the mixture reaches 239°F (115°C).
• Add pecans and cook, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until syrup reaches 311°F (155°F). Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, salt, and chipotle powder (if using). Sprinkle baking soda over top and stir until fully combined. Pour mixture onto prepared sheet pan and use the buttered offset spatula to spread about 1/4-inch thick. Let sit at room temperature to cool completely.
• Break into pieces and store in an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag.

PECAN BRITTLE

Steps:

• Cook first 3 ingredients in a medium size heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to boil.
• Boil without stirring 5 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 310 degrees.
• Add pecans, and cook 2 - 3 more minutes or to 280°F (mixture should be golden brown).
• Remove from heat, and stir in butter and remaining ingredients.
• Pour mixture onto a metal surface or onto a shallow pan.
• Allow to stand 5 minutes or until hardened.
• Break into pieces.
• * If you'd like you can also add popcorn.
• Prepare brittle as directed.
• Stir in 1 cup popped popcorn before pouring into pan.

SPICED RUM-NUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Grease a 15x10x1-in. pan; set aside. , In a 2-qt. microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar and corn syrup. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3 minutes; stir. Microwave 2-1/2 minutes longer. Stir in the cashews, pecans, butter, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and nutmeg. , Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes or until mixture turns a light amber color (mixture will be very hot). Quickly stir in baking soda and extracts until light and foamy. Immediately pour into prepared pan; spread with a metal spatula. Cool completely. Break into pieces; store in an airtight container.