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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!
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 idea – Everyone 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.
Microwave Instructions
The microwave makes it incredibly quick and easy to prep this candy.
- Microwave sugar and corn syrup. Combine them in a large glass bowl and heat at power level 7 for 4 minutes.
- Stir in cashews. Quickly mix the chopped nuts into the corn syrup mixture. Microwave again for another 3 ½ minutes.
- Add butter and vanilla. Stir to incorporate and microwave the whole mixture for another 1 ½ minutes.
- Add baking soda. Quickly stir until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy.
- Pour onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Let the cashew brittle set for 2 hours until hardened.
- Break into pieces. Use your hands to break apart the brittle into whatever size pieces you like. Enjoy right away or store for later!
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
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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!
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**
Categories: Candy, Desserts
Posted on March 30, 2019
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Does the bowl have to be glass?
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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
SHugary is a take on my last name (Shugarman). 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
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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.
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How many power settings does your microwave have? I’m trying to figure out how to adapt to a 1200 microwave. Thanks!
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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.
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Oh YUM!! Peanut brittle is the BEST!!
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I love peanut brittle! Yum!
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Such an easy sweet recipes! Love the sweetness combined with my favorite nut!
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I make this for every holiday!
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I am obsessed with this cashew brittle! So easy and crazy good!
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Made peanut brittle like this for years. Never changed the nuts up! Duh! Thanks for being a genius and sharing!!
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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.
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Oh no! Glad it tasted good though 🙂
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Edith
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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!!
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This is a PERFECT treat for my Hubby! He loves brittle and cashews! I am excited to try this microwave version.
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This looks SO easy and SO delicious. The perfect gift, too 🙂
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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!
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