Maple-Spice Cashew Brittle
Ingredients
- 1 cup (212 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup chopped cashews (see note)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste if you want it spicier
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon maple flavoring or extract
Instructions
- Grease a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray really well. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe medium glass bowl, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes. Remove carefully from the microwave and give it a good stir. Microwave again for another 4 minutes.
- Remove carefully and stir in the cashews, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and butter. Microwave for 3-4 more minutes, watching carefully, until the mixture turns light amber in color but not so long that the cashews are burned. It will be very hot, so be careful removing it from the microwave. Quickly stir in the baking soda and maple flavoring; the mixture will foam a bit so don't be alarmed.
- Immediately spread the mixture out on the prepared pan. Cool completely.
- Break brittle in pieces. It can be stored well-covered at room temperature for several days.
Notes
Cashews: I used roasted, salted cashews but you could also use raw, unsalted cashews (you may want to up the salt in the recipe just slightly).
Microwave: also, I tested this recipe in a 1,000 watt microwave. If your microwave has more/less watts, you'll need to adjust the time accordingly.