Cashew Brittle Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 19 comments
Published: Mar 30, 2019 Last Updated: Jan 29, 2024

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Cashew Brittle is a nutty homemade candy made in the microwave! This fun twist on classic peanut brittle couldn’t be any more delicious or any easier to make.

Love candy with nuts? Our Pecan Praline Candy is another easy recipe to try! We love this crunchy nutty caramel snack mix too!

Cashew Brittle Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why Make Homemade Candy
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Microwave Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Easy Candy Recipes
  • Cashew Brittle Recipe

Why Make Homemade Candy

Think making candy at home is too difficult? Think again!

  • Best testing candy – This sweet and salty cashew brittle tastes so much better than any brittle candy you can buy at the store.
  • Stays crunchy for weeks – Like our Peanut Brittle Recipe, this one won’t lose its crunch when you store it.
  • As easy as can be – It’s made with a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand!
  • No special equipment needed- If you have a bowl and a microwave, you can make homemade cashew brittle. You don’t need a candy thermometer or even a stove!
  • A perfect gift ideaEveryone loves receiving a bag full of homemade candy, especially when it tastes as good as this one.

Whether you’re a candy making expert or total novice, this Cashew Brittle recipe is for you. It’s beautifully crunchy with a sweet and salty cashew toffee flavor.

Ingredient Notes

  • Granulated sugar and corn syrup – The sugar dissolves and crystalizes in the corn syrup when heated to form a candy base that doesn’t get grainy.
  • Cashews – We recommend roasted salted cashews, chopped into bite sized pieces. Or swap it out for your favorite nuts!
  • Baking soda – Adds air buttles to the candy for a lighter, crispier texture.
  • Vanilla extract – We love using homemade vanilla extract or another good quality pure vanilla extract.
Cashew Brittle Recipe (2)

Microwave Instructions

The microwave makes it incredibly quick and easy to prep this candy.

  1. Microwave sugar and corn syrup. Combine them in a large glass bowl and heat at power level 7 for 4 minutes.
  2. Stir in cashews. Quickly mix the chopped nuts into the corn syrup mixture. Microwave again for another 3 ½ minutes.
  3. Add butter and vanilla. Stir to incorporate and microwave the whole mixture for another 1 ½ minutes.
  4. Add baking soda. Quickly stir until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy.
  5. Pour onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Let the cashew brittle set for 2 hours until hardened.
  6. Break into pieces. Use your hands to break apart the brittle into whatever size pieces you like. Enjoy right away or store for later!
Cashew Brittle Recipe (3)

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other kinds of nuts in this recipe?

You sure can! Feel free to use pecans, almonds or any other lightly salted nut you like.

How long does it stay good?

Stored in an airtight container, this cashew brittle stays crunchy and delicious for about one week. But it never lasts that long at my house because my family and I can’t resist eating it!

Why did my cashew candy mixture burn?

This candy will burn if your microwave is too hot or you heat it for too long. I used power level 7 (out of 10) on my 1500 watt microwave.

I don’t have a microwave. Can I still make this recipe?

Yes, it cane be made on the stove with a few adjustments. See my peanut brittle recipe for instructions to make this on your stove top!

More Easy Candy Recipes

  • Peanut Butter Fudge
  • Andes Mint Fudge
  • Divinity
  • Chocolate Fudge
  • Cream Cheese Mints
  • Peanut Butter Cups

Cashew Brittle Recipe (4)

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Cashew Brittle

By: Aimee

Cashew Brittle made in the microwave! It couldn’t be easier, and it’s a fun twist on the classic peanut brittle.

Prep Time: 2 hours hours

Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 9 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup salted Cashews chopped slightly
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  • Lay a piece of parchment paper over a large cookie sheet. Set aside.

  • Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2qt. glass bowl. Microwave (on power level 7) for 4 minutes.{I use a 1500watt microwave}

  • Remove and stir in cashews quickly using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Return to microwave and heat for 3 ½ minutes (on power level 7).

  • Remove and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Return to microwave for an additional 1 ½ minutes (on power level7).

  • Remove and stir in baking soda, mixing until light and foamy. Pour over parchment paper and spread to desired thickness, working quickly.Allow cashew brittle to set and harden at room temperature (about 2 hours). Break into desired sized pieces and store in an airtight container for up to one week. ENJOY!

Notes

  • Feel free to use pecans, almonds or any other lightly salted nut you like.
  • Stored in an airtight container, this cashew brittle stays crunchy and delicious for about one week. But it never lasts that long at my house because my family and I can’t resist eating it!

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 93mg, Sugar: 14g

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Learn how to make the best Cashew Brittle in the microwave with this easy homemade candy recipe!

Cashew Brittle Recipe (5)

About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

Cashew Brittle Recipe (6)

Categories: Candy, Desserts

Posted on March 30, 2019

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  1. Does the bowl have to be glass?

    Reply

  2. Cashew Brittle Recipe (10)
    Made this several times with granddaughter over summer. Was scared to try it but it came out perfect first time. We were amazed. By the way, sugary is spelled without the “h.”

    Reply

    1. SHugary is a take on my last name (Shugarman). 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the recipe.

      Reply

  3. This is the best brittle. I’ve always been intimidated about making it on the stove but not anymore. I love this recipe and make it way too often.

    Reply

  4. How many power settings does your microwave have? I’m trying to figure out how to adapt to a 1200 microwave. Thanks!

    Reply

  5. I don’t have a 1500 watt microwave oven. I truly only use it to re-heat or melt something. It’s only 1000 watts. How would I adjust cooking time and power.

    Reply

  6. Oh YUM!! Peanut brittle is the BEST!!

    Reply

  7. I love peanut brittle! Yum!

    Reply

  8. Such an easy sweet recipes! Love the sweetness combined with my favorite nut!

    Reply

  9. I make this for every holiday!

    Reply

  10. I am obsessed with this cashew brittle! So easy and crazy good!

    Reply

  11. Made peanut brittle like this for years. Never changed the nuts up! Duh! Thanks for being a genius and sharing!!

    Reply

  12. I don’t have the ability to change the cooking power on my old microwave and my first batch ended up a burnt mess! I cut the cooking times in 1/2 and it worked perfectly!

    Warning: Do not put the hot glass bowl in cold running water – my grandmother’s glass pryrex bowl broke into pieces when I put it in the sink and turned the water on. Lesson learned. That bowl was HOT, as you said it would be!

    End result: AWESOME Cashew brittle. #burnedbrittlesmellsgross, #brokegrandma’sglassbowl, #2ndtimeisacharm.

    Reply

    1. Oh no! Glad it tasted good though 🙂

      Reply

  13. Edith

    Reply

  14. Cashews are the best!!! I only recently tried cashew butter and its magic! I bet the milder than peanuts flavor of cashews are awesome in a brittle. Yum!!

    Reply

  15. This is a PERFECT treat for my Hubby! He loves brittle and cashews! I am excited to try this microwave version.

    Reply

  16. This looks SO easy and SO delicious. The perfect gift, too 🙂

    Reply

  17. I’m like your husband– givemeALLTHECASHEWS!!! It’s the only nut I can eat totally plain (ie, not covered in chocolate). Although I think I’d rather eat them in this brittle!

    Reply

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Cashew Brittle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is baking soda added to nut brittle? ›

Baking soda is a key ingredient in peanut brittle. It's what aerates the candy, giving it a nice light crunch.

Do you have to soak raw cashews before roasting? ›

You do not need to, but soaking them before roasting them could result in a crunchier texture. And if you are seasoning the cashews, soaking them first will help the nuts absorb the flavors. If you choose to soak them, fully submerge them in room temperature water for about 3 hours.

Why didn't my peanut brittle get hard? ›

Didn't get it hot enough. You have to hit hard crack stage heat or it's not going to harden. From internet: Hard-Crack Stage is a cooking term meaning that a sugar syrup being heated has reached 149 – 154 C (300 – 310 F.) It is a test of how hot a sugar syrup is, and of how much water is left in it.

What is cashew brittle made of? ›

Buttery cashew brittle is made with sugar, corn syrup, and cashews, which make it even more special. Cashew brittle is always welcome but is especially nice to have on hand for holiday guests and visiting family.

Why is my brittle crumbly? ›

Water: Hard candies like peanut brittle require just enough water to dissolve the sugar. Nearly all of the water will evaporate during the cooking process. Corn syrup: Crucial crystal-blocker or “doctoring agent”. Without glucose syrup, the peanut brittle will recrystallize and develop a crumbly, gritty texture.

Why is my homemade peanut brittle sticky? ›

Whether it's during the cooking, cooling, or storage process, moisture and humidity can ruin the best batch of brittle in minutes, leaving you with a soggy, sticky mess. This is why eliminating moisture anywhere you can is our top tip on how to store peanut brittle.

Why do you soak cashews in boiling water? ›

Why Soak Cashews? Any recipe that calls for cashew cream or cashew puree requires you to soak the nuts first. Soaking in water makes the cashews softer, which results in a smoother cream. The longer you soak the cashews, the softer they become, the smoother your cashew paste is going to be.

What happens if you don't have time to soak cashews? ›

So to quickly soak cashews just the same – we have an alternative method. All you need to do is place your cashews into a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, squirt some lemon juice in there (totally optional), remove from heat, and cover. Let that sit for about 15 minutes.

Why did my cashews turn purple? ›

The soaking cashews will swell, especially the ones that sit overnight. However, if they have turned purple-ish it is a sign they have soaked too long and you should start over.

Can you redo peanut brittle? ›

Reviving stale peanut brittle is possible to some extent. You can try placing the stale peanut brittle on a baking sheet and gently heating it in an oven at a low temperature, around 250°F (120°C), for a few minutes. This can help to soften it a bit and restore some of its original texture.

Can you overcook peanut brittle? ›

If you overcook the brittle, it could be bitter or burnt. If you undercook it, the brittle won't properly set and the end result will be sticky. A thermometer is an accessible and inexpensive way to monitor temperature and ensure properly cooked brittle. Make sure your baking soda is fresh and active.

Why is my peanut brittle not fluffy? ›

It is important to coat cookie sheets with butter and put in the freezer to get them really cold before you need to pour the brittle. After you pour the candy you should put the pans in the fridge or outside if it is cold, so the brittle will set up quickly and stay fluffy.

What is the shelf life of cashew brittle? ›

Candy Storage Guidelines
ProductAt room temperatureRefrigerated
Cashew Brittle (all varieties), Malted Milk Balls4 WeeksDo Not Refrigerate
Seafoam6 WeeksDo Not Refrigerate
3 more rows

What is the black mold in cashews? ›

Black mould is one of the most important foliar diseases of dwarf cashew plants in coastal zone of northeastern Brazil.

Why don t cashews have shells? ›

In order to protect customers from skin allergies, cashew nuts are removed from their shells because the seed contain a harmful substance called urushiol and also the shells have a lining that is filled with this toxic fluid, so that is the reason why cashews are not sold in their shell.

Why does baking soda make things crispy? ›

Is baking soda or powder best for frying? A pinch of baking soda can help produce crispy fried foods. It reacts with the acid in the batter to create carbon dioxide bubbles. These lead to an airy batter and a crisper, fluffier result.

What is the purpose of adding baking soda to food? ›

Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents, which are substances used to help baked goods rise.

What does baking soda do in candy making? ›

The baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda) heats up and when it does that, it releases a gas that gets trapped in the caramelized honey and sugar. This results in bubbles that resembles actual honeycomb from bees!

How does baking soda reduce hardness? ›

Although baking soda cannot soften the water fully, it, being alkaline, changes the pH of hard water to make it more suitable for skin and hair. Of course, the problem with this method is that you won't exactly be able to enjoy a shower, since you've to make use of a bathtub.

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