Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle for Holiday Care Packages

Lots of baking going on during the holiday season, but how much of that goodness can you ship as a gift and have it arrive fresh and in one piece?  Peanut Brittle enhanced with a little Mexican chile spice is one treat that ships well and tastes great upon arriving. I shipped them to my kids as winter care packages when they were in college. The thank you calls confirmed they were a hit with the suite-mates as well!

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Tips for Easy Candy Making

Don’t be afraid of a candy thermometer! Sometimes candy-making is avoided because a candy thermometer is a kitchen tool that isn’t used very often.  I rarely make candy, but the recipe below was easy and turned out great the first time around.

Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Other Sweet Treats that Ship Well in Care Packages

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Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle

This is a delicious and unique brittle that adds the smoky heat of chipotle spice and the seasonal crunch of pumpkin seeds for a holiday treat that lasts for a month. It’s great for holiday care packages or make-ahead holiday treats.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 12

Calories 240

Author Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

• baking sheet 10 x 15 is a good size
• Sauce pan
• Candy thermometer
• Slotted spoon

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 2 ¼ cups sugar
• ⅓ cup corn syrup light
• ½ cup unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
• ⅔ cup water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ cups toasted pumpkin seeds (1/2 cup saved out for the topping)
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder can use red pepper flakes if you don’t have chipotle
• 1 teaspoon maldon sea salt a flake salt for topping

Instructions

 

• Prepare a 10 x 15 rimmed baking sheet by lightly coating it with oil or lining it with foil.
• In a heavy saucepan that will be the right depth (candy thermometer to hang off the edge of the pot and still reach the bottom of the pot), mix together the sugar, corn syrup, butter and 2/3 cup water and stir until sugar is wet.
  2 1/4 cups sugar, 1/3 cup corn syrup, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2/3 cup water
• Clip the candy thermometer onto the pot and turn the heat to medium-high.  Let the mixture cook without stirring until the candy thermometer reaches 310°.  

  It will take about 13 to 15 minutes and the mixture will be foaming and tan around the edges.
• Moving quickly, turn off the heat, remove the thermometer, and use a slotted spoon to whisk in the baking soda and salt.  It will foam up so be careful.  

  Stir in 1 cup of the pumpkin seeds and the all of the chipotle spice.
  1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 1/2 cups toasted pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• Pour the brittle mixture from the pot onto the prepared baking sheet, tilting the pot to spread the brittle out over the baking sheet.  

  It cools quickly and it is messy to spread with a knife after it is poured, so try to get the brittle in the baking sheet the thickness you like as you pour.

   Pouring instead of spreading will give it a smooth surface.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds and the flake salt evenly over the brittle.  Cool completely on the baking sheet at room temperature.
  1 teaspoon maldon sea salt
• Invert the brittle onto a cutting board and use your hands to break it up into pieces.  The brittle can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Notes

 

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Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 1gFat: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 45g

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