Cashews have been around since ancient times.
They were first discovered by an Indian tribe called the Anasazi people who lived on the Colorado Plateau area in what’s now known as New Mexico.
In recent years, cashew nuts have become trendy because they contain healthy fats that help your body absorb vitamins A, E, D, B6, K2, beta-carotene, copper, manganese, and zinc – all essential nutrients that support overall health.
But did you know that cashew brittle can be made from them too?
What Are The Ingredients For A Cashew Brittle Recipe?
The basic ingredients of this cashew brittle recipe include:
- cashews (raw)
- baking soda
- sugar
- water
- flour
- vanilla extract
Other optional ingredients you may want to add to the recipe include:
- coconut oil
- almond flour or powdered almonds
- chopped nutmeg
- dried cranberries
- walnuts
- dark chocolate chips
- chocolate sauce
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to making cashew brittle, but these are some general guidelines that will ensure success with any cashew brittle recipe.
1. Use fresh, unsalted cashews
The quality of your cashew brittle depends on how well-blanched the raw cashews are.
If you use pre-blanched nuts, then you won’t get the same flavor and texture of the finished product.
2. Make sure the cashews are dry
When baking anything, especially brittle, it’s important to keep foods like nuts dry before adding them to the batter.
If the cashews aren’t dried enough, then moisture might seep into the batter during mixing.
This could lead to a mushy result instead of crispiness.
3. Keep the temperature consistent
To achieve perfect results, always stick to the same temperature setting while cooking the mixture.
Too low a temperature means that the mixture will not brown properly, while too high a temperature might cause scorching.
Use a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the oven.
To check if the temperature has reached the right level, insert a wooden spoon handle into the center of the pan and take note of its position.
When the handle reaches the top part of the pan, the temperature is hot enough.
4. Don’t overmix the dough
It takes time to achieve proper consistency for the batter.
Overmixing the cashew brittle batter will only ruin the end result.
Once everything is mixed thoroughly, place the bowl in the fridge for about 30 minutes until the mixture cools down completely.
5. Bake at the correct temperature
Cashew brittle needs to be baked at a certain temperature, otherwise the sugar content in the mixture would caramelize and burn the brittle.
You should bake the mixture at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes.
While checking on the progress of the process, gently shake the tray every five minutes so that the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
After the specified period of time, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
How Do You Make Cashew Brittle?
To make this sweet snack, there are two main steps involved: cooking the cashews and then adding in the other ingredients.
The final product should look like something between chocolate and peanut butter but with a crispier texture than either of these foods.
Let’s take a closer look at how it works so you can see why this dish is such a crowd favorite.
Step one: Roasting the cashews
This step isn’t quite as complicated as it sounds.
All you need to do is roast the raw cashews on medium heat until they turn light brown.
It might only take about 10 minutes or so depending on the size of your pan.
You want to avoid overcooking the nuts though.
If they get too dark before they start to smell nutty, you risk losing their flavor.
Step two: Adding the coconut oil and sugar
Once the cashews are roasted, add the remaining ingredients into a bowl.
You’ll use three cups of chopped cashews (or more if needed), 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Next, melt the coconut oil over low heat.
Once the oil has melted completely, pour it onto the mixture of cashews, coconut, and sugar.
Stir the mixture well to combine everything together.
Then place the bowl back on the stovetop and let the entire mix cook undisturbed for 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally.
When you think the cashew brittle is done, taste it to check its consistency.
If you prefer chewy brittle instead of crispy, go ahead and keep cooking the mix for another five minutes.
Afterward, you’ll be able to tell whether the mixture needs more time or not based on how much harder it gets when pressed down with your fingers.
Step three: Letting the cashew brittle cool off
When the mixture reaches room temperature, remove the pan from the burner.
Then transfer the contents into a container with a lid and allow it to cool.
Make sure you don’t touch the surface of the brittle once it starts cooling off.
Otherwise, you could break the outside shell.
The whole process will take anywhere from 15-20 minutes depending on how hot your oven is.
But most importantly, make sure to stir the mixture every few minutes during the cooling stage.
Afterwards, store the cooled cashew brittle in airtight containers for up to four weeks.
What Is The Best Cashew Brittle Recipe?
You might think that making cashew brittle sounds like hard work but it actually takes very little time to prepare this tasty treat.
It’s also quite simple to master if you put the effort into learning how to cook with the right tools for the job.
In fact, we’ve compiled some of our favorite recipes here at The Healthy Kitchen so you don’t need to worry about not having anything good to eat when you’re craving something sweet!
If you want to learn more about cooking with these versatile ingredients, check out these helpful tips:
- Can I use raw or roasted cashews instead of blanched ones?
- Why are many cashew recipes vegan?
- Is there any difference between salted and unsalted cashews?
How Do You Store Cashew Brittle?
You can make this recipe for cashew brittle at home with very little effort.
However, it will only keep fresh if it’s stored properly so here are some tips for storing cashew brittle.
- Store cashew brittle in an airtight container or jar where it won’t get exposed to light or moisture.
- Keep cashew brittle refrigerated to protect against bacteria growth.
- Don’t wrap it up tightly when you take it out of the fridge.
- Leave about 2 inches between each piece so there’s enough room for air circulation.
- If you want to go ahead and bake something else while waiting for the brittle to cool down, you can always use it as a topping for ice cream!
How Long Does Cashew Brittle Last?
Cashew brittle is one of those foods that has endless shelf life.
Once it’s out of its jar or plastic wrap, it will keep for months if stored properly.
It also doesn’t need refrigeration so you don’t have to worry about spoilage like with other snacks.
You can buy cashew brittle at most grocery stores and online retailers.
But there are some important things you should consider before buying this snack food item.
- Look for cashew brittle that contains raw ingredients only (no added sugar).
- Don’t purchase anything labeled “salted” if you want to avoid any potential sodium content issues.
- Be sure to check expiration dates and look at how long the product was in storage or shipping conditions.
Storage tips for cashew brittle
The best way to keep cashew brittle fresh is to use airtight containers such as glass jars or metal cans.
You can even try storing it in the fridge but make sure it doesn’t touch other foods because moisture can affect the texture of the brittle.
If you plan to consume cashew brittle within two weeks after opening the container, then you’re good to go.
However, when the time comes to eat the remaining portion, it may not taste quite right without proper storage.
So here are some helpful tips to ensure that your cashew brittle lasts longer than just a few days.
Keep away from heat sources such as ovens, microwaves, and hot water pipes.
These elements could cause the cashew brittle to soften up over time.
Store it out of direct sunlight.
This reduces exposure to light which causes oxidation reactions.
Avoid prolonged contact with extreme temperatures.
Keep it away from extremely cold surfaces like freezers and ice cubes.
And while we’re talking temperature, avoid touching it directly with bare hands! Cashew brittle is usually packaged in sealed bags or boxes, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting it dirty.
However, it would still be wise to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to remove any sticky residue left behind.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Cashew Brittle?
Here’s how it works: The raw cashews are soaked in water until soft, then ground into a paste with sugar (or honey) before being mixed together with other ingredients like corn starch or tapioca flour for binding purposes.
The resulting mixture is baked at low temperatures to create a hard candy-like substance that resembles a traditional cashew brittle but has a slightly different flavor profile.
Not only do these treats taste great, they also provide many health benefits compared to regular candies.
So, if you want to give yourself some good nutrition without sacrificing the fun, try making this tasty snack!
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Cashew Brittle?
Cashew brittle is one of those sweet treats that everyone loves.
It has many benefits for both adults and kids alike.
Here are some of the most common ones:
- It helps control blood sugar levels due to its low glycemic index (GI).
- It contains fiber which keeps our digestive system functioning properly.
- The high protein content helps build strong bones and muscles.
- It provides energy throughout the day.
- It boosts immunity.
- It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
How do I make cashew brittle at home?
You will need:
- A food processor or blender
- 1 cup whole raw cashews
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup brown rice syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 egg white
To begin, add the egg white to the food processor or blender along with the remaining ingredients except for the cashews.
Process until smooth and creamy.
Add the cashews into the mixture and combine well.
Spread it out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into pieces.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Eating Cashew Brittle?
While it may seem like something straight out of a science fiction movie (or maybe even a dream), eating cashew brittle has no negative effects whatsoever.
The only risk associated with this sweet snack comes from overindulging.
This type of food doesn’t cause any damage or harm to your internal organs when eaten in moderation.
However, if you make the mistake of consuming more than three servings per week, then you could experience gastrointestinal discomfort.
Because cashew brittle contains so many different kinds of nuts and seeds, it’s also important to note that each one carries its own set of unique nutritional values.
For example, almonds are high in fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium while pistachios provide plenty of omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, and antioxidants.
The good news is that both almonds and pistachios are packed full of nutrition and can help keep you feeling great inside and out.
What Are Some Creative Ways To Eat Cashew Brittle?
The most common way of eating cashew brittle is straight out of the jar or bag it comes in.
But if you want something more fun, here are a few recipes for different types of cashew brittle that will make you smile while you enjoy it.
1. Homemade Cashew Brittle Recipe
- Ingredients (makes 2 cups)
- 4 ounces of unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup roasted salted cashews
- Directions (Makes 1 ½ Cups)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place butter into microwave safe bowl and heat until melted.
- Add sugars and mix well.
- Slowly add salt and stir continuously until combined.
- Next, add vanilla and stir again.
- Finally, slowly pour mixture onto prepared pan and sprinkle with cashews.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking apart.
2. Spiced Cashew Brittle Recipe
- Ingredients (makes approximately 4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg powder
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces of unsalted butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups raw cashews
- Direction (Makes 8 servings)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine spices together in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
- To prepare brittle, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Once melted, add sugar and stir continuously until dissolved.
- Slowly add salt and continue stirring until incorporated.
- Now add heavy cream and stir constantly until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in spice blend and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- After five minutes, turn off stove and transfer mixture to a food processor.
- Process mixture until finely chopped.
- Pour mixture back into saucepan and place over low heat.
- Cook until thickened slightly, roughly 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and carefully pour mixture onto a 9×13 inch glass dish.
- Let cool and break apart once cooled.
3. Roasted Cashew Brittle Recipe
- Ingredients (serves 3)
- 5 ounces of unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cup of dark brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup roasted salted cashews
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Directions (Makes approx.
- 4 cups)
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a square cake pan that measures 13 x 11 inches.
- Melt butter in microwave safe bowl on high power for 30 seconds.
- Add remaining ingredients except cashews and combine thoroughly using a wooden spoon.
- Transfer mixture to greased pan and spread evenly across bottom of pan.
- Sprinkle cashews on top and press firmly down into batter.
- Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.
- Turn oven temperature up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake another 20 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Cashew Brittle?
The best thing about making this sweet dessert at home is that it doesn’t require much work or time.
You just need raw ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, honey, agave syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
Once you mix those together, you’ll get a nutty, crisp snack that’s so good you won’t even realize how simple it was to make!
If you want to learn more about cashews, check out these articles below:
- How do cashews benefit your health?
- Do cashews cause cancer? Here’s why you shouldn’t worry (but should)
Step 1: Toast the Cashews
Toasting cashews will give them extra flavor and helps bring out their natural sweetness.
To toast them, place cashews into a dry skillet over medium heat for 6 minutes.
When they start smelling fragrant, remove the pan off of the stovetop and allow them to cool completely before moving onto the next step.
You may notice that cashews release moisture when they come into contact with air.
This means that if you don’t let them sit long enough, your brittle could end up being soft instead of crispy.
If you find any of the cashews seem undercooked after six minutes, continue cooking until they reach desired texture.
After cooling, store the cashews in an airtight container.
Step 2: Add Honey and Vanilla Extract
Once you’ve allowed the cashews to cool down, add honey and vanilla extract to the mixture.
Mix everything well using a wooden spoon until the cashews are coated evenly.
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces cashews
- sea salt
Instructions
- Silpat mats or parchment paper should be used to line a big baking sheet with a rim (or spray with nonstick spray).
- In a large saucepan, combine the butter, water, corn syrup, and sugar. Prepare the cashews and baking soda by measuring them out.
- For about 10 minutes, cook the mixture in the saucepan, stirring regularly, until it turns golden brown and registers 300°F on a candy thermometer.
- Add the baking soda right away after taking the pan off the heat. It will vigorously bubble up. Pour quickly onto your baking sheet and spread into an even layer with a silicone spatula or long wooden or metal spoon. Quickly whisk in the vanilla extract and cashews. (For the first minute or two, you can really push it down; however, use caution because it is HOT.)
- Sea salt should be added on top. After allowing it to cool for about 30 minutes, cut it into pieces. Use an airtight container for storage.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.