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Banana Walnut Brittle Recipe

Banana Walnut Brittle Recipe


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4.8 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Crunchy banana walnut brittle delivers a symphony of caramelized sweetness and nutty depth. Rich, golden layers of candied bananas and toasted walnuts create an irresistible treat you cannot stop nibbling.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (100 g) walnuts, chopped and toasted
  • ½ cup (120 g) freeze-dried banana slices, crumbled

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Flavoring and Finishing Ingredients:

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare a flat, non-stick surface by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, gently stirring to release their aromatic oils and develop a rich, nutty flavor. Remove from heat once they emit a warm, toasted fragrance.
  3. Create a caramel base by combining sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar completely dissolves, then increase temperature to generate a rolling boil without further stirring.
  4. Monitor the sugar mixture carefully using a candy thermometer until it reaches the precise hard-crack stage at 300°F, indicating a transformative caramelization point.
  5. Swiftly remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate butter, which will cause an immediate vigorous bubbling reaction. Quickly add baking soda and vanilla extract to enhance flavor and texture.
  6. Fold crumbled freeze-dried bananas and pre-toasted walnuts into the molten caramel, ensuring every fragment becomes thoroughly coated with the golden syrup.
  7. Immediately pour the blazing mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and thinly across the surface before it begins to solidify.
  8. Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature, which typically takes approximately 30 minutes. Once fully hardened, fragment the sheet into irregular, rustic pieces.
  9. Transfer the brittle fragments to an airtight container, where they can maintain their crisp texture and complex flavor profile for up to two weeks when stored at room temperature.

Notes

  • Manage moisture carefully when working with sugar syrup to prevent crystallization, which can ruin the brittle’s texture.
  • Use a candy thermometer for precise temperature control, ensuring the perfect hard-crack stage for a crisp, shatter-able brittle.
  • Wear heat-resistant gloves or use long utensils when handling the hot sugar mixture to protect yourself from potential burns.
  • Quickly spread the mixture on the baking sheet to achieve an even, thin layer that breaks into delicate, crisp pieces.
  • Experiment with alternative mix-ins like dried fruits, different nuts, or chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations.
  • For a gluten-free version, double-check that all ingredients, especially vanilla extract and corn syrup, are certified gluten-free.
  • Prevent humidity from softening the brittle by storing in a cool, dry place with a moisture-absorbing packet.
  • Create a vegan alternative by substituting butter with coconut oil and using plant-based sweeteners.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 10 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg