Cashew brittle is one of those treats that makes you smile right away. The crisp brittle melts in your mouth while the roasted cashews provide that lingering warm, toasty aftertaste that has you reaching for another bite.
Though this recipe feels fancy, it’s surprisingly easy to make. With only a few ingredients, you can impress your loved ones without breaking a sweat.
Ultimate Cashew Brittle Treat For Nut Lovers
Making your own cashew brittle at home is not only a great way to save money compared to fancy candy stores. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about whipping up a candy that looks (and tastes!) like it came straight from a fancy shop. The best part? It’s easier than you might think!
Satisfying your family’s sweet tooth is a breeze with this simple, nutty recipe. With just a few basic ingredients—sugar, cashews, and butter—you can whip up a treat that feels gourmet without the fancy price tag. Chances are, you already have most of what you need in your pantry!
Even if you’re new to candy-making, this cashew brittle is beginner-friendly and stress-free. All it takes are a few easy steps: melt the sugar, stir in the cashews, and let it cool. In less than an hour, you’ll have a buttery, crunchy delight that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or thoughtful, homemade gifts for friends.
Do you love to make more nutty dessert recipes? Try my Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup and Pistachio Cookies Recipe.
Ingredients You Will Need
For this recipe, you only need a few ingredients to make an indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Cashews: You’ll want to use roasted cashews to make your brittle more aromatic and flavorful. Choose the lightly roasted cashews, not the heavily roasted ones, to prevent getting overcooked during the brittle-making process. Depending on your preference, you can choose whole cashews for a more uniform look or opt for pieces to spread more evenly.
- Granulated sugar: Look for fine-grain granulated sugar to ensure that it dissolves more evenly. It should use pure cane sugar, not beet sugar, to caramelize smoothly.
- Light corn syrup: Make sure that your light corn syrup doesn’t contain artificial flavors. These additives might interfere with the caramelization process and form sugar crystals.
- Unsalted butter: Any regular unsalted butter is fine as long as the butterfat content is at least 82%. You’re lucky if you have access to grass-fed butter because they’re known to have an extra rich flavor.
- Pure vanilla extract: The ingredients of your pure vanilla extract should be simple without any additives. It should only include vanilla beans, water and at least 35% alcohol.
- Baking soda: Choose pure baking soda with no added flavoring agents or chemicals to ensure that you get the desired crisp texture results. Check that your expiration date is still good.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Variations and Substitutions
- You can substitute cashews with other nuts like almonds and pecans or combine your favorite nuts for a more delightful mixed-nut brittle.
- Are you allergic to dairy? Swap butter for coconut oil.
- Spice up the brittle with some cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger when you add the nuts.
- For coffee lovers, add a little espresso or instant coffee to the brittle mixture when adding the nuts.
- Add more crunch with chia seeds or dried fruits to the brittle mixture when adding the cashews.
How To Make Cashew Brittle
The steps in making cashew brittle are easier than you think!
1
Dissolve Sugar
Add sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat the sugar mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves completely.
2
Cook Syrup
Bring the sugar mixture to a boil and allow it to cook for about 8-10 minutes. Swirl the pot occasionally to prevent the syrup from burning.
If you have a candy thermometer, now is the time to put it on the side of the pot. You’ll want the temperature to reach 300-310 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the hard crack stage. At this point, the syrup has slightly thickened and become golden amber in color.
Tip: If you don’t have a candy temperature, you can try taking a small amount of the syrup and dropping it into a glass of cold water. You’ve reached the right stage if you see hard, brittle threads that break easily.
3
Add The Rest Of Ingredients
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Quickly add the butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda into the syrup. Stir everything until the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth.
Don’t panic when you see the syrup bubbling up. These bubbles are the carbon dioxide gas released to make your brittle light and crisp.
4
Add Cashews
Now, stir in your cashews into the hot syrup. Make sure that the nuts are evenly coated with the syrup. You need to do this quickly, as the hot syrup gets solid fast.
5
Cool And Break
Once done, pour your coated cashews onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using a spatula, spread the cashews out in an even layer. Be careful, these brittles are very hot.
Allow the cashew brittle to cool in your countertop for about 30 minutes. Once set, break the brittle into pieces of your preferred size.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Once the sugar mixture boils, reduce the heat to prevent the syrup from getting burned and tasting bitter.
- It’s difficult to eyeball the syrup when it reaches the hard crack stage. For efficiency, use a candy thermometer.
- Don’t over-stir the sugar syrup while cooking because it can form crystals in the brittle.
- Be sure your ingredients are at room temperature to start. Using cold ingredients only causes the syrup to separate.
Storing Leftovers
It’s pretty easy to store your cashew brittle leftovers. You can keep them fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make sure the candy is stored away from direct sunlight or heat.
It’s not recommended to store your leftover brittle in the refrigerator or freezer because the cold can make them too hard to eat and possibly take on moisture.
Nut Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Crunchy And Sweet Cashew Brittle Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 cups roasted salted cashews
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, then spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Cook the Syrup:
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water.1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup water
- Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Bring to a boil and cook without stirring until the syrup reaches the hard crack stage (300-310°F). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature, and swirl the pot occasionally to prevent burning. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
Add Flavor and Soda:
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Quickly stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble—this is normal!2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp baking soda
Add Cashews:
- Stir in the roasted salted cashews, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Work quickly as the mixture cools fast.2 cups roasted salted cashews
Spread the Brittle:
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer about ¼ inch thick. If needed, place a greased parchment paper on top and press gently for an even finish.
Cool and Break:
- Let the brittle cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Once set, break it into pieces of your preferred size.
Notes
- Be sure your ingredients are at room temperature to start. Using cold ingredients only causes the syrup to separate.
- Nut Substitutions: Swap cashews for other roasted salted nuts like peanuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Essential Corn Syrup: Don’t skip or substitute the corn syrup—it prevents the brittle from turning grainy.
- Candy Thermometer: Use one to ensure the syrup reaches the hard crack stage for the perfect brittle texture.
- Baking Soda Magic: Expect bubbling when you add baking soda—it’s what gives the brittle a light, crispy texture.
