5 from 4 votes
Spicy Pepita Brittle
This is a beautiful, unusual brittle that combines only a few ingredients but tastes incredible. Sweet with a surprise of heat and the salty crunch of pepitas, it's one of my favorite brittle combinations. It makes a cute little gift, too.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
9
servings
Calories:
401 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- butter for pan
- 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 cups (about 8 ounces) Pepitas (hulled pumpkin seed), lightly toasted
Instructions
- Lightly butter a 10-by-15-inch jelly-roll pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cayenne and salt. Measure out the pepitas (pumpkin seeds), cayenne, and salt.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, water, and corn syrup and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat and boil until the syrup turns a gorgeous golden brown and measures about 335°F [168°C] on a candy thermometer, which ought to take 10 to 15 minutes. Do not stir the mixture, although when the sugar begins to brown around the edges of the pan, gently tilt the pan to swirl the syrup so it caramelizes evenly. When the caramel reaches the desired amber color throughout, immediately remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in the pepitas and cayenne mixture. (Stand back a little, as chances are the mixture will bubble and the pepitas may "pop".)
- Immediately pour the caramel into the prepared pan. If necessary, use a spatula or wooden spoon to spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer. Let the brittle stand at room temperature until cool and hard, about 1 hour.
- To release the brittle from the pan, run a spatula underneath the brittle and bend the opposite ends of the pan a little. If that doesn't work, simply chop or break the brittle into chunks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
401kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
70g
(23%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Sodium
69mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
67g
(134%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 9 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 70g | 23% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Sodium | 69mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 67g | 134% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.