One of my guilty pleasures is subscribing to the mouth watering daily menu of Thomas Keller’s amazing restaurant in Napa Valley- “Ad Hoc”. Not too long ago Pepita Brittle was on the menu and I knew I needed to make it. While searching the internet I found the Smitten Kitchen Blog for Pepita Brittle. It was inspired by the same Tom Colicchio recipe I adapted last fall for my Thanksgiving and Christmas peanut brittle. Below is my version of pepita brittle and it is fantastic. This is one of the best brittle recipes and I have tried many. The recipe always works and it doesn’t need a candy thermometer. I found that brittle is not only a great addition to your dessert table but it also makes for a wonderful holiday gift. But be forewarned this brittle is highly addictive.
From by the bay wishing you sweet holidays!
Maryann
Pepita Brittle
Adapted from “Craft of Cooking” by Tom Colicchio and Smitten Kitchen Blog from 11/1/2008
Makes one 12 x 16 – inch pan
Canola -oil spray
2 cups sugar
1/4 pound unsalted butter
6 tablespoons corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 pound or 1 1/2 cup shelled raw unroasted pepitas ( pumpkin seeds)
1 1/2 tablespoons Maldon sea salt
Directions
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray parchment paper with Canola oil. Take a large non-stick pot and add sugar, butter, corn syrup and 1 1/3 cups water. Place on high heat melting sugar until the caramel turns amber color, stir occasionally as this is cooking. This might take awhile, it will thicken as it boils before it finally turns amber. At this point add the baking soda and salt, then remove from heat and add the pepitas. Stirring well, then quickly pour onto the baking sheet and spread out evening with a spatula. An alternate method for a smoother brittle is slide the parchment paper out of the baking pan and onto a smooth counter top. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and use a rolling in, to smooth the brittle and roll it out thin. Once the brittle is rolled out you can remove the top sheet of parchment paper and let the brittle cool and then break into pieces. If you can resist eating this , store in an air tight container.