Pumpkin Seed Beer Brittle

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Servings: 40
Yield: 40 servings

Description

Bring something unique to the next party: a bowl of sweet crunchy brittle made with pumpkin seeds and beer. Cayenne pepper and cinnamon add their spicy notes to the candy.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup raw cleaned whole pumpkin seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 3/4 cups white sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

Directions

1 Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the pumpkin seeds until they have browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer into a bowl, and mix with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Butter a jellyroll pan, and set aside near the stove.
2 Butter a jellyroll pan, and set aside near the stove.
3 Combine the sugar and beer in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture boils and the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the temperature measured by a candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), about 40 minutes. When the candy reaches the correct temperature (hard crack) it will form brittle strings when dripped into ice water.
4 Remove the candy from the heat, and quickly stir in the pumpkin seeds. Pour the candy carefully into the prepared jellyroll pan to form a thin layer; allow to cool. Break the candy into bite-size pieces once cool. Store in an airtight container.