Here, a coarse sea salt like fleur de sel or sel gris plays a few important roles: It tempers and cuts the richness of the nuts and butter, it adds a concentrated crunch— and it makes the brittle look divine. Break this vibrant green pistachio brittle on top of ice cream or crumble it over rice pudding. Or, do what we do, and eat it straight off the baking sheet.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 16 servings
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; spray with nonstick spray and set aside. Whisk sugar, corn syrup, and 3 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Fit saucepan with candy thermometer, bring mixture to a boil, and cook until thermometer registers 290°F, 3-4 minutes.
Step 2
Using a heatproof spatula, stir in pistachios, butter, and kosher salt (syrup will seize initially, but will melt as it heats back up). Continue to cook syrup, stirring often, until thermometer registers 300°F and pistachios are golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Caramel should be pale brown (it will darken slightly as it cools). Sprinkle baking soda over and stir quickly to blend caramel thoroughly (mixture will bubble vigorously).
Step 3
Immediately pour caramel onto prepared baking sheet and, using a heatproof spatula, quickly spread out as thin as possible. Sprinkle sea salt over and let caramel cool completely. Break brittle into pieces. DO AHEAD: Brittle can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight between sheets of parchment paper (to prevent sticking) at room temperature.
Recipe notes
Back to topSee Related Recipes and Cooking Tips
43 Sweet and Salty Desserts to Satisfy All Your Cravings at Once
Salted caramel sauce is only the beginning.61 Christmas Candy Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday
Make these Christmas candy recipes—including chocolate truffles, fluffy marshmallows, and peppermint bark—and then wrap them up for loved ones.31 Valentine's Day Candy Recipes
No store-bought Valentine's Day candy will ever compare to these homemade confections, including giant peanut butter cups, boozy gummies, and two-ingredient truffles.37 Homemade Candies for a DIY Easter Basket
Store-bought marshmallow chicks have a certain charm, but the best Easter sweets are the ones you make at home.11 Travel-Friendly Foods for a Road Trip
For your next road trip, skip the bagged convenience store junk food and make these homemade snacks instead.Edible Gifts Are the Best Gifts
Sweet and salty treats that anyone would love to receive.5 Things You Didn't Know About Pistachios
Move over, almonds and walnuts, there's a new superstar nut in town!
