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This Nut Brittle recipe uses salted mixed nuts for a delicious twist on the holiday classic. Package this candy up to give as a sweet holiday hostess gift.

This post is sponsored by Challenge Dairy. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

Nut Brittle uses salted mixed nuts for a twist on the holiday classic.

Is it really the holidays without candy?

I know that everyone always talks about making Christmas cookies, and the season doesn’t feel complete without several batches of Peanut Butter Blossoms or Molasses Cookies. But there’s something about candy that really rounds out the holidays.

From Turtle Fudge to Homemade Marshmallows to Bourbon Maple Salted Caramels, holiday candies are fun to make and even more fun to package up as gifts.

Buttery, rich Nut Brittle makes a great holiday hostess gift

My Nana always had tins of peanut brittle for us to snack on while we baked for the holidays and Nut Brittle still takes me back to those childhood moments of baking with her to this day.

Make a batch of Nut Brittle to gift during the holiday season.

NUT BRITTLE RECIPE

Even though peanut brittle is the classic, you guys know I like to shake things up around here every now and then.

So instead of reaching for just peanuts for this Nut Brittle recipe, I reached instead for salted mixed nuts.

You can use your favorite mixture to include what you like best. Cashews? Pecans? Walnuts? Almonds? They’re all welcome here – just make sure they’re salted and that you give them a coarse chop to break up any bigger nuts into smaller pieces.

Nut Brittle is rich and buttery - a great holiday hostess gift!

In addition to reaching for a mix of nuts, I also pulled out my favorite Challenge butter to make this Nut Brittle.

Challenge Dairy has been one of my partners for years because I truly love all of their products – everything they make, from their butter to their cream cheese spreads, is amazing.

Nut Brittle uses mixed nuts for a twist on the peanut-laden classic

In fact, they are the only dairy product company that controls the whole process from milking the cows, to transporting milk, to packaging the product. How awesome is that?

This Nut Brittle recipe uses salted mixed nuts for a delicious twist on the holiday classic. Package this candy up to give as a sweet holiday hostess gift.

HOW DO YOU MAKE NUT BRITTLE?

Candy making freaks some people out, but I’ve got a couple of recommendations to make the whole process easier.

Make a batch of Nut Brittle with salted mixed nuts for the perfect holiday gift.

First: Please, please don’t skip using a candy thermometer.

Making Nut Brittle, like any candy, seems to go slowly until it doesn’t. That means that you’ll sit around waiting for the sugar to come to the right temperature and then suddenly – boom! – it’ll be ready for the next step.

Using a good candy thermometer will help you keep an eye on the process so you know where it’s at and will help you make sure you don’t over- or under-cook the Nut Brittle.

This Nut Brittle recipe uses salted mixed nuts for a delicious twist on the holiday classic.

Second: Measure out and organize your ingredients before you start the cooking process.

Remember how I said that making Nut Brittle goes slowly until it doesn’t? The final ingredients all get added very quickly at the end, and you won’t have time to measure them out as you add them.

Having the butter, vanilla and baking soda ready to go will let you add them as soon as the thermometer reads 300°F.

Whip up a batch of Nut Brittle to take as a hostess gift this holiday season.

Don’t let making candy intimidate you or stop you from trying your hand at making Nut Brittle this holiday season. It’s the perfect candy to package up as holiday hostess gifts or to snack on by yourself while you wrap presents.

You know what? On second thought, you better make two batches. I think you’re gonna need them.

Nut Brittle makes the perfect holiday hostess gift

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Nut Brittle

By: Jamie
4.42 from 43 ratings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 16
This Nut Brittle recipe uses salted mixed nuts for a delicious twist on the holiday classic. Package this candy up to give as a sweet holiday hostess gift.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup salted mixed nuts coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons CHALLENGE salted butter room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions 

  • Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Since this recipe moves quickly, I recommend you measure out and organize your ingredients before you start the cooking process.
  • In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
  • Add in mixed nuts and stir until combined.
  • Place a candy thermometer into the mixture and continue cooking, stirring  frequently until temperature reaches 300°F.
  • Immediately remove saucepan from heat and quickly stir in butter, vanilla, and baking soda.
  • Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a rubber spatula, spread the mixture into a rectangle about 14x12 inches.
  • Cool completely at room temperature.
  • Snap candy into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 124mg, Potassium: 55mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 45IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.42 from 43 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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22 Comments

  1. Susan says:

    You say the nuts must be salted. Can I use unsalted ones and add sea salt or regular iodized salt? If so, how much? Also would I be able to use pistachios if I roll them around a little to get the loose husk off? I have some that are shelled & would like to try them.

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Susanย โ€“ I have not tried this particular recipe with that substitution, so I can’t say for sure the exact adjustments you’d need to make. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Happy baking!
      Jamie

  2. Sam says:

    Awesome recipe! I made this for my Christmas gift tins. It was super easy and looks amazing. I will be making this again.

    1. Jamie says:

      So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Sam! Merry Christmas!

  3. Beth says:

    Can I use dark corn syrup? Will it just make the brittle darker? I worked in a fudge shop when I was young and we made this in those huge copper kettles and poured it out on the marble tables. It was so delicious warm. So happy to find and try this recipe!

    1. Jamie says:

      I have not tried this recipe with dark corn syrup.

    2. Chris says:

      @Beth, I just finished a batch using dark corn syrup rather than light. No noticeable difference that I could say.

  4. James Kumar says:

    Really yummyย 
    Using in All dessert decorations and while I am having a Cup a tea or coffeeย 

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, James! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
      -Jamie

  5. Lauren says:

    Glucose syrup works in Australia- same quantities…..made 2 batches today and it keeps disappearing!

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Lauren! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
      -Jamie

  6. April says:

    Peanut brittle reminds me of my Grandma….but I’m not a huge fan of just peanuts. I love that I can make this with mixed nuts…the nostalgia is still there, but it’s a better taste for me. :)

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, April! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
      -Jamie

  7. Jillian says:

    When it comes to gifting candy at Christmas-time, nothing beats homemade nut brittle! This is a fantastic recipe that I will use again and again!ย 

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Jillian! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
      -Jamie

  8. Mary says:

    Hi, is it possible to replace corn syrup, as it is not readily available in Europe.
    ย Eg golden syrup?
    Glucose syrup??
    Thanks

    1. Jamie says:

      Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe without corn syrup and am not very familiar with the products available in Europe, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
      -Jamie

    2. Christa Z'graggen-Eberhart says:

      @Jamie, I tried it with honey.

  9. Guineal Redman says:

    at exactly what temperature do you add the nuts? I am afraid they will burn if you put them in too soon.

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi there – I add them as soon as the other ingredients are dissolved, before I even add the candy thermometer. I have not had any issues with the nuts burning! Hope this helps.
      Jamie

  10. Natalie says:

    I love nut brittle! Looks like the perfect Christmas treat โ™ฅ

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Natalie! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
      -Jamie