Nut Brittle Block

By kmad

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, softened, for baking sheet
• Vegetable oil, for spatula
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• Pinch of salt
• 2 1/2 cups unsalted nuts, such as dry-roasted peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds or pecans, or toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from marthastewart.com

Preparation

Step 1

Brush a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with butter, and oil an offset spatula; set aside. Put sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan with 1/4 cup cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). Stir in nuts, and continue to cook, stirring often so that the nuts do not burn, until the mixture is medium amber in color, 10 to 15 minutes.
Carefully stir in vanilla and baking soda (the mixture will foam up).
Pour onto prepared baking sheet, and using oiled offset spatula, quickly spread into a 1/2-inch-thick layer. Let cool completely.
Break brittle into pieces if desired; store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 month.