Nut Brittle Recipe

Nut brittle, a type of hard candy containing nuts, has many variations around the world. Peanut brittle is the most common type in the United States, while peanuts and sesame seeds feature in some Asian recipes, and in the Middle East, pistachios are popular. Pecans are delicious in the following recipe, but you can make this festive crunchy treat with any kind of nut or nuts you like.

This recipe for pecan brittle pairs sweet, hard candy with crunchy nuts and a touch of vanilla. It’s a great recipe for the holidays and you can mix and match different kinds of nuts and flavors.

Also try cream cheese brownies, gooey caramel stuffed chocolate cookies, or these chocolate peanut butter kitchen sink cupcakes.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy:  Homemade pecan brittle is straightforward to make. Once the hard candy mixture is combined, you just need to add the nuts and flavors and let it cool down until it’s hard, crunchy and you can’t resist munching on a piece!
Tasty: This crunchy treat is always popular because it tastes so good. With this recipe, you can enjoy the sweet hard candy which is flavored subtly with vanilla, as well as the delicious pecans. Yum!
Versatile: Not only does pecan brittle make a tasty snack on its own but there are other recipes you can use it in. Break off some pieces and add to a sundae or use to decorate cupcakes or a cheesecake.

Ingredients for this Pecan Brittle Recipe

You’ll need white and brown sugar, along with corn syrup, salt, chopped pecans, butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda to make this delicious treat.

How to Make Easy Nut Brittle

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Make the hard candy:  Heat both kinds of sugar with the light corn syrup, water, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan on the stove, and cook this sugar mixture until the sugar dissolves.
Add the pecans: Stir in the nuts with a wooden spoon and cook sugar mixture, stirring often, until a candy thermometer tells you the mixture has reached 300 degrees F (hard crack stage).
Add the remaining ingredients: Now you can mix in the butter, vanilla extract and baking soda.
Pour out the mixture: Pour the hot mixture on to a silicone baking mat lined large baking sheet pan and spread it out evenly.
The finishing touches: Leave the pecan brittle to cool completely and set, and then you can break it into pieces to serve.

Substitutions and Variations

Since any nuts suit this recipe, you can take your pick from any of them – peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, or even mixed nuts would work.

You can also sub a different extract for the vanilla to add a different flavor to the brittle recipe, or add a pinch of spices – pumpkin pie spice, allspice, cinnamon, or anything else you like.

Some people like a touch of salt along with the sweetness, so you might like to sprinkle a little salt over the brittle before you let it cool completely – this is really good if you use caramel extract instead of the vanilla.

How to Serve this Pecan Brittle Recipe

Enjoy this pecan brittle as it is or use it in other recipes such as to decorate cakes, cupcakes, sundaes, or other desserts.

If you’re making it for the holiday season, serve it with other appealing snacks such as white chocolate bark or something festive such as brie cranberry bites.

And if pecans are your favorite type of nut or one of them at least, you might like to try other pecan recipes such as pecan pie or a savory dish like Brussels sprouts with pecans or garlic roasted carrots.

How to Store Pecan Brittle

Store: This brittle recipe keeps for a while and, if kept in an airtight container at room temperature (preferably somewhere dry, dark and cool), it should last for up to a month. Refrigerating it or keeping it somewhere humid means it will lose some of its crunch so avoid this.
Freeze: Brittle can be frozen but bear in mind moisture is its enemy and will make it sticky. So it’s a good idea to freeze it in an airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag, maybe even double-bagging it. Parchment paper between the pieces will stop the brittle from sticking together in one clump. Your pecan brittle recipe should be fine for up to 2 months and you just can thaw it on the countertop.

Brittle with Pecans FAQs

Pecan Nut Brittle Recipe

This recipe for pecan brittle is really easy to follow and the resulting candy is truly delicious. You can play around with the type of nuts and the extract flavor you use to personalize the brittle. You might also like to make an extra batch because it makes a lovely gift when wrapped in cellophane and decorated with a cute ribbon.

Other Recipes to Try

• If you’re craving a rich and indulgent dessert, try out this Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie recipe.
• This Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping makes a comforting side dish.
• These delicious Roasted Brussels Sprouts feature bacon, pecans and cranberries.
• Try these unusual Pancake Nachos or what about Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow?
• Add a touch of sweetness to your dinner spread with Sweet Potatoes topped with Candied Maple Pecans.
• This Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is a decadent treat for any occasion.