Nut Brittle- Vietnamese Nut Brittle Recipe
There’s a few things that Vietnamese people love to do, and one of those is caramelizing things. What better recipe to adapt than all American nut brittle!
I made a few variations including a Vietnamese Ca Phe and a Miso Butter Nut Brittle.
For my Vietnamese Ca Phe variation, add 1 tbs Vietnamese Ca Phe (coffee & condensed milk, reduce water 1 oz). Recipe to make Vietnamese Ca Phe -here-.
For my Miso Butter varations add 1/2 tbs miso paste to your butter mixture.
INGREDIENTS
1.5 cups mixed nuts
2 tbs coffee (3/4 cup water, 3 tbs condensed milk)
3/4 high heat
2 cups chopped / mixed raw nuts (Raw cashews, pistachios, walnuts)
2 tbs salted butter
1/2 tbs vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
Corn starch for dusting (optional)
PREPARATION
Have you baking tray with parchment ready to the side.
In a bowl add 2 tbs butter room temp, add 1 tsp baking soda (makes caramel foamy so when it’s set it’s easier to bite into), 1 tsp vanilla, salt. Don’t mix and just set aside so it’s ready.
Put 1/4 cup water in pot, add 1 1/4 cup sugar, 1 /2 cup white corn syrup ), turn heat to medium high and bring to steady boil, and do NOT stir (or else it will crystallize). (Occasionally brush sides of pot with water so sugar crystals don’t form on the sides, if you see crystals form, brush sides with water). I know it’s tempting but do no stir at all!
When sugar starts to turn into a nice amber color/light caramel color begin mixing it until entire mixture is an even amber color, with a rubber spatula add butter/baking soda and vanilla and stir very quickly and fast (keep heat off) (do not use a metal spoon since this conducts more heat) and stir well until foamy. Then immediately stir in nuts and stir quickly because nuts will cool down sugar. After well coated (30 seconds) immediately transfer to pan and flatten/spread some with wooden spoon quickly before it sets.
Let cool to room temp
Remove parchment from brittle. If brittle is a little tacky use a soft brush and dust/brush on some cornstarch.
Turn on its back side and break into bite size pieces OR flip brittle to its smooth bottom side up and tap with pestle to crack brittle into bite size pieces.
Store in air tight container to prevent humidity & stickiness.