Brittle with Mixed Nuts

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 5 min. Cook: 30 min. + cooling

MAKES: 28 servings

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 teaspoons plus 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (10 ounces) mixed nuts without peanuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions

1. Butter a baking sheet with 1-1/2 teaspoons of butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 270° (soft-crack stage), stirring occasionally.
2. Add nuts; cook and stir until the mixture reaches 300° (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and remaining butter. Add baking soda and stir vigorously.
3. Quickly pour onto prepared baking sheet. Spread with a buttered metal spatula to 1/4-in. thickness. Cool before breaking into pieces. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 1-3/4 pounds.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.