Candy is dandy, but the high-fructose corn syrup, dyes and other processed ingredients it often contains is not. Take a stab at making your own with this pumpkin seed caramel brittle recipe. This sweet treat calls for high-grade maple syrup, nutritious pumpkin seeds and seasonal spices that will surely get you in the festive mood. Before making this recipe, make sure you have a candy thermometer handy for best results. Ready to go? Let’s bring on the brittle!
Pumpkin Seed Caramel Brittle
Servings 11
Calories 269 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup 336g cane sugar
- 1/2 cup 120ml maple syrup
- 1/2 cup 120ml water
- 5 Tbsp. plant-based butter
- 3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 1/3 cups roasted unsalted hulled pumpkin seeds divided
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Arrange pumpkin seeds on baking sheet in an even layer and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.
-
In small pot on medium-high heat, bring maple syrup and sugar to boil (do not stir). Use candy thermometer – once it reaches 300 degrees F or “hard crack stage*” add butter, pumpkin pie spice, salt, vanilla, baking soda and 1 ¼ cups pumpkin seeds.
-
Quickly transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and top with remaining pumpkin seeds. Allow brittle to cool completely, about 30 minutes, before breaking into pieces.
Recipe Notes
- When cooking sugar at high temperatures, keep your area clean and use caution. If the hot liquid gets on your skin, do not smear it to avoid spreading the burn. Run cold water over affected area immediately and seek assistance as needed.
- *Hard crack stage is a cooking term meaning that a sugar syrup has reached 300 degrees F.
- Order the ingredients you need for this recipe at Vitacost.com!
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Seed Caramel Brittle
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 269
Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Sodium 152mg6%
Potassium 161mg5%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 41g46%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 259IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.