I think I inherited my love of peanut brittle from my grandpa. My brother and I always gave him a few boxes of brittle for Christmas when we were growing up and I can’t see peanut brittle and not think of him! Whenever I’m in a gourmet candy shop I may peruse the bonbons, but I inevitably end up skipping over the chocolate and buying a box of homemade peanut brittle. I just love the stuff.
This was actually my first time making brittle, because I only recently got a candy thermometer. It was one of the many kitchen items (along with confetti mixing bowls made from recycled plastic, a cupcake decorating set, new measuring cups and spoons, and tons of Tone’s spices which are packaged in Iowa and SO cheap there) that made it into my suitcase on my way home from Des Moines last month. I had to borrow a backpack from my parents and check my original bag since I didn’t have enough room in it for all my new purchases (cute new shoes may or may not have also been involved…). Sigh, I have no self control!
I decided to do a twist on my mom’s traditional brittle and used cashews instead of peanuts. I also added a touch of honey and topped the brittle with sesame seeds. This flavor combo was inspired by the yummy sesame and honey covered cashews I like to munch on at work from Trader Joe’s. I used too much honey in the first batch, which overpowered the candy and caused it to be too sticky, but this second batch turned out perfectly. Yay for finally being able to make brittle whevever I crave it!
Honey Sesame Cashew Brittle
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup water
1 cup salted cashews
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Directions:
Stir together sugar, honey, and water in a small saucepan with a candy thermometer. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to boil the mixture until it reaches 250°F. Then pour in cashews and continue to boil until mixture reaches 300°F. Quickly pour mixture onto buttered parchment paper lining a 8×8-inch square pan. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the top. Cool for 1 hour or until at room temperature. Break candy into irregular shaped pieces and store in a cool place in air-tight containers. Makes 8 servings.
Nutrition: 197 calories, 6.9g fat, 0.1g fiber, 2.1g protein per serving
Cost: $2.55 total
Such a pretty photo! Once I bought my candy thermometer (it took me years, not sure why!) it opened up so many new recipes to make. My favorite thus far has been marshmallows. I think this recipe might be next!
Great pic – I love homemade brittle, this one reminds me of some candies I buy at the local Asian Grocery store, they are sesame seed candy, I think probably sugar and sesame seeds in a wrapper but very tasty!
This looks great! I just got a candy thermometer asl well, and can’t wait to use it to try out this recipe!
Oh gorgeous! It’s a typical Asian snack, brings me back in time when I was a kid. Your brittle looks fantastic, the caramel is shiny, perfect: I can feel being crunchy when you bit it
This really looks great. Sesame seeds with cashews, wow.
This is a wonderful twist on a brittle! The combination of cashews with honey and sesame seeds sounds incredibly delicious!
This is really special brittle! I love it with the cashews and sesame seeds. What a yummy treat!
They look so yummy and crunchy and sweet and salty! miam
oh this is my daddy’s favorite! Too bad I ate up all the cashews in the house
hi, i just found your blog and its very interesting, healthy and informative, i like that you put the calories and the cost of the dish. well done! i will be coming back for more…visit mine if you have the time:
http://www.pityinthekitchen.blogspot.com
cheers,
pity
This is a great brittle! love all the ingredients of it
Perfection!!! I love cashew, sesame and brittle…so I know I’d adore some of this! Yummy…
One of the few gadgets I am lacking is a candy thermometer, this looks fab and I may need to put a candy thermometer on my Xmas list!
This looks fantastic!
Beautiful picture!!!!!!! That’s so sweet that peanut brittle makes you think of your grandpa! Love the sesame seeds on top! I have been thinking lately that I should start subbing sunflower and pumpkin seeds for nuts in candy recipes – this is a great one to try!
Oh my! That seriously looks awesome!
this sounds like a fantastic combo of flavors! i don’t know that i’ve had much brittle before… i just got a thermometer though, i was thinking of trying to do my own marshmallows
ps- thanks for the bday wish! do we get to see what you ended up making for Apolinaras’ bday?
What a great combination–cashews, sesame seeds and a touch of honey. I’m drooling over that picture!
Wow. THAT brittle looks awesome! Yaaay for new candy thermometers. I just bought one too.
My goodness.. does this ever look delicious!! perfect addition to a Christmas tree.. would be a great gift!
I love learning how to make my favorite store-bought foods! It is so sweet that these remind you of your grandpa. Isn’t is it great how foods can hold such strong memory associations?
I am a disaster when it comes to not splurging on kitchen items. Walking through Bed Bath and Beyond is always a trial for me since they have pots and pans in every shape and size imaginable!
I love cashew brittle but I’ve never had one with sesame seeds before..
Sounds really flavourful! So simple ingredients with so good looking result.
I love the sweet/salty combination, yum!
I could munch that whole cup full up in no time. Love the brittle, I’ll have to mark this for when I need a sweet gift.
Ooohhh so you’re saying that your trip to DSW was successful?!
But yes, Tones are super cheap here. If you ever need to be restocked, just holler and I’ll send a care package!
The peanut brittle looks great. I’m super intimidated by making it though. I think I just need to try your recipe and get over my fears…
That’s so funny that you got your love for peanut brittle from your grandpa! I got mine from my grandmother. She used to love the stuff and let me have some when my mom wasn’t looking
Looks great and so professional!
My mom would go crazy over this recipe. I will be sure to make this for her next time I visit home. Thanks for sharing!
I love brittle – this looks AMAZING!
This looks so good. I do love grabbing these from the Asian grocery store. They sell a variety pack, which even includes black sesame brittle.
The brittle looks fantastic! Much better than you would ever find in a store.
What a beauty of a fine picture!!!
Looks really delicious too!
This looks SO good. And no butter! Definitely giving this one a try.
Cashews are so much yummier than peanuts. Great sub!
Great picture! I’m envious of your new sugar thermometer; I’ve been meaning to get one for ages…
Wow, these cashew brittle look fantastic…with sesame seeds…yummie! Great pictures as well!
Congrats on the brittle! We’ve certainly never attempted it!
ohhh.I love to buy good gadgets when I Am out of town! FUN
My sister and I made brittle for Christmas a couple yrs ago but ai haven’t made it since, yours looks fantastic! Hoooray to you for making it for the first time!!!
I love peanut brittle too! I recently found some chocolate peanut brittle in a candy shop and had to have it. Your cashew and sesame version looks delicious.
sadly, the only brittle i’ve ever had is peanut, and i didn’t like it at all. it’s now obvious that all brittles are not created equal–this looks and sounds absolutely sensational. give brittle a chance!
Thanks everyone, I had a lot of fun with this recipe and definitely want to try making marshmallows now that I have a candy thermometer!
Molly Jean – Yes, definitely a successful mission
Lisaiscooking – Chocolate peanut brittle?! That sounds amazing!