Cayenne Toffee-Style Peanut Brittle
on Dec 16, 2013, Updated Aug 07, 2020
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If you have ever asked, “How do you make peanut brittle?” then this a recipe that you’re going to want to read and then make.
What is it?
Last week I walked into our office at work and found the usual array of papers scattered about. Some notes about vacation requests, a memo from the pharmacy, and some literature from a vendor that had dropped by the day before. Visually, that was all like white-noise to me, what really caught my attention was scattered atop a serving platter. Once again, my friend and colleague Lane had been up to something delicious – this time with help of his mom who was visiting from Wyoming.
Just ike the workplace of many, mine is a challenging one to be around, with the vast amount and variety of good eats that always seems to make its way through the doors. At no time is this more evident than around the holidays. One of the major contributing factors to the ever-present food at my work locale is the number of excellent cooks and bakers with whom I work. Throw in a visiting family member or two and the phenomenon seems to become even more expansive.
When Lane mentioned that he was making a treat for us and his mom Nancy was helping him put it together, I had a feeling that it would be something pretty special. Lane’s folks visit several times a year and over the past 12 months or so we have become both well acquainted and quite fond of them.
Both Dale and Nancy, Lane’s folks, have both laid their claim to fame with signature dishes and we have been privileged to have been served Nancy’s Chicken Parisienne and Dale’s Chile Relleno. I hope to get both of them to do a guest post, here on Platter Talk, at some point in the near future – which of course will afford me yet another opportunity to enjoy their culinary prowess.
This Cayenne Toffee that Lane and his mom put together is a peanut brittle of gourmet caliber. The cayenne lends an element of zip that when paired with the sweet base and crunchy array of mix nuts, leaves you with just one direction in which to go after your first piece – back for another. And another, and then just one more. I’m not going to deny it, this stuff is dangerously delicious and in my opinion carries a high potential for addiction. What more could you ask for from a homemade treat that is tailor-made for the holiday season?
Cayenne Toffee-Style Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Karo syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups mixed nuts
Instructions
- In heavy sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add sugars, syrup, and cayenne pepper and mix together until sugars are dissolved.
- Gently fold in nuts.
- Increase heat and bring mixture to boil and turns a golden brown in color.
- Place mixture on cookie sheet and allow to cool and harden.
- Break into pieces, using your hands.
Notes
For softer toffee, use a little more butter
For more zip, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love the sweet heat in your brittle!!
Thanks, Tara. This one is addictive and perfect for our cooler holiday season!
Dan, this is great stuff! Love the fact that no thermometer is required! And with all the varieties of nuts and of course the cayenne, well this is meant to be! Can’t wait to try this!
Abbe,
I love this recipe too. Thanks for the great comments, I lalways ove to hear from you!
I love your blog Dan and the stories behind the dishes you share, most times your posts leave me smiling, but today, today, the crocodile tears are threatening to leak out as I wish I had me some of this brittle!
🙂
Seriously – this is one heck of a sweet/spicy brittle!
Shashi,
Thanks for the nice words – I always enjoy reading your views, both on your own site and of course when you are kind enough to stop by and leave feedback on Platter Talk. I hope you are staying warm, good weather is only six months away (for us here in Wisconsin!!) xo
Dangerously delicious is RIGHT! Thanks for stopping by Desserts Required with this post!
Besty,
Thanks for stopping by, it’s very nice to hear form you!
Peanut brittle is one of my favorite treats! I love the cayenne in here 🙂
Katrina,
I think we are on the same page with this one 🙂 Thanks for the comments!!
Okay Platter Talk you got my attention!! We love brittle. Cayenne brittle rocks!
Libby,
I’m new to cayenne, but as you mentioned, it really is a great compliment to a sweet base. Thanks for the comments!
Hi, Dan! This looks amaaaazzzzing! Thanks for sharing, and I’m so happy to meet you! ~~ally
Ally,
Thanks for the kind comments, wonderful to meet you as well!!
Hey I made these last week for gifts, love the brittle anytime! Its sounds so good with the cayenne added too!
Thank you, Ladies – lucky recipients!
I love spicy peanut brittle! This is such a great gift idea, too!!!
Thanks, Ashely. Great to hear from you, xo!
Love the sound of this, especially with that cayenne kick!
Marie,
Thanks, it really keeps you coming back!!