Best Pumpkin Seed Brittle Recipes

PUMPKIN-SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and honey. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is medium amber and a candy thermometer registers 280 degrees, about 6 minutes. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Cook until mixture reaches 300 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

STEAMED PUMPKIN PUDDINGS WITH TENNESSEE RUM HARD SAUCE AND PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• To prepare the puddings, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the inside of six 6-ounce heat-proof custard cups or ramekins with the melted butter. Invert the custard cups on a baking sheet and refrigerate until the butter sets.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer), beat the 8 tablespoons butter and the cane sugar on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the yolk and the vanilla, beating well and scraping down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula after each addition. Beat in the pumpkin puree and scrape down the bowl.
• Add the flour mixture in thirds, alternating with the buttermilk, beating each time only until the batter is smooth.
• Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to carefully divide the batter among the custard cups, taking care to keep the rims clean. Gently tap each cup to remove any air bubbles.
• In a lidded baking dish or Dutch oven large enough to hold the custard cups with at least 1/2 inch of space between them, place a folded kitchen towel (to hold the cups steady). Arrange the custard cups in the dish. Pour enough very hot tap water into the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the cups. Cover the baking dish tightly with the lid.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a pudding comes out clean and the top springs back when gently pressed, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the lid and let the puddings cool in the water bath for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the hard sauce. In a medium bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer set to high speed until fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and add the confectioners' sugar. When the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to high, and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Fold in the nutmeg and rum with a rubber spatula; you should have about 1/2 cup. Use within 1 hour or transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Allow the sauce to come to room temperature before serving.
• The puddings can be served warm or at room temperature. If serving directly in the custard cups, serve at once or let cool on a wire rack. If unmolding, to serve the puddings warm as soon as they come out of the water, run a thin knife around the inside of each ramekin to loosen the puddings, then invert into a serving plate. To serve at room temperature, place the ramekins on a wire rack until the puddings cool before inverting them onto serving plates. Top each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the hard sauce and a large shard of brittle.
• Generously butter a rimmed baking sheet or line it with a silicone baking mat. In a large skillet, cook the pumpkin seeds over medium heat, stirring often, until they are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• In a large, heavy, deep saucepan, combine the cane sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a long-handled wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns deep amber, 8 to 12 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in the baking soda, vanilla, and salt. The mixture will bubble vigorously and expand in the pan. Immediately stir in the pumpkin seeds and pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a heat-proof spatula to gently but quickly spread the brittle into a thin, even layer.
• Let the brittle cool to room temperature. Run an offset spatula under the brittle to help loosen it, or gently twist the pan. Break the brittle into shards. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Combine sugar, water, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved and turned a golden brown color. Immediately add pumpkin seeds and mix well to coat with the caramelized sugar.
• Spread the very hot pumpkin seed mix thinly onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool to room temperature. Break or cut into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

MEXICAN FLOATING ISLAND WITH KAHLUA CUSTARD SAUCE AND SESAME PUMPKIN-SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• In a dry heavy skillet cook 1 cup of the sugar over moderate heat until it begins to melt and continue cooking it, stirring with a fork, until it is melted completely and is a golden caramel. Pour the caramel into a 1 1/2-quart ring mold. Using potholders to hold the mold tilt and rotate the mold to coat the bottom and let the caramel cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with the salt until they are foamy, add the cream of tartar, and beat the whites until they just hold stiff peaks. Beat in the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, a little at a time, and beat the meringue until it holds stiff glossy peaks. Spoon the meringue into the ring mold, rapping the mold sharply on a hard surface to expel any air bubbles, and smooth the top. (The meringue will fill the mold completely.) Transfer the mold to a deep baking pan, add enough hot water to the pan to reach 1 inch up the side of the mold, and bake the meringue in the middle of the oven for 1 hour. (The meringue will rise completely and will deflate as it cools.) Turn off the oven and let the meringue stand in the oven for 15 minutes. Transfer the mold to a rack and let it cool completely. The meringue may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Invert the meringue onto a deep serving plate, letting the melted caramel drip over the top and down the sides. Some of the caramel will remain, hardened, in the bottom of the mold. Put the mold in a skillet of simmering water and heat the caramel, stirring occasionally, until it has melted. Spoon the Kahlúa custard sauce around the meringue, drizzle the meringue decoratively with the melted caramel, and crumble some of the sesame pumpkin-seed brittle over it. Serve the remaining custard sauce separately.
• To make Kahlúa custard sauce:
• In a small heavy saucepan bring the half-and-half just to a boil with the vanilla bean and remove the pan from the heat. In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until the mixture is combined well and add the half-and-half mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Transfer the mixture to a heavy saucepan and cook it over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it thickens slightly and registers 175°F. on a candy thermometer. (The sauce will thicken as it cools.) Strain the custard sauce through a fine sieve into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water, let it cool, stirring, and stir in the Kahlúa. Chill the sauce, covered, for at least 2 hours, or until it is very cold. The sauce may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. Makes about 2 cups.
• To make sesame pumpkin-seed brittle:
• In a dry heavy skillet cook the sugar over moderate heat until it begins to melt and continue cooking it, stirring with a fork, until it is melted completely and is a golden caramel. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the pepitas and the sesame seeds, and, working quickly, pour the mixture onto a sheet of foil. Let the brittle cool and break it into small pieces. The brittle may be made 1 week in advance and kept in an airtight container. Makes about 1/2 pound.

CHEF JOHN'S PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Stir pumpkin seeds and sea salt together in a bowl.
• Stir sugar, corn syrup, and water together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add butter and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil until mixture is dark golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in baking soda.
• Pour pumpkin seeds into sugar mixture and stir until well-combined. Transfer pumpkin seed mixture to prepared baking sheet. Place another silicone baking mat over the top of the pumpkin seed mixture and press down to make an even surface for the brittle. Let harden for about 30 seconds; remove top baking mat. Score surface with a knife to form desired shapes. Cool to room temperature and break into pieces.

PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Place the oil and seeds into a 10-inch saute pan and set over medium-high heat. Toast the seeds while constantly moving the pan. You will smell their aroma and hear some of them begin to crackle when they are toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a small mixing bowl, add the cayenne, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine.
• Line a half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat.
• Place a 3-quart saucier inside a large cast iron skillet. Add the sugar and water to the saucepan, and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until it comes to a boil. Stop stirring, cover and cook for 3 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the sugar is a light amber color, approximately 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the pumpkin seed mixture. This will greatly reduce the temperature of the sugar, so work quickly. Once evenly mixed, pour the mixture onto the prepared half sheet pan. Using an oiled spatula, spread thin. You will have to work quickly when pouring out and spreading the mixture in the pan. Cool completely, approximately 30 minutes, and then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the pie dough to a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork and line with foil and pie weights or dried beans. Bake until golden around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and bake until the bottom is dry, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Whisk the half-and-half, 2/3 cup sugar, the eggs and pie spice in a medium bowl. Whisk in the pumpkin. Pour the filling into the crust.
• Bake the pie until the center is just slightly jiggly but not loose, about 1 hour. Transfer to the rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the topping: Line a baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray. Cook the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and the water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan a few times, until the mixture is light brown, about 5 minutes. (Brush down any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush.) Stir in the pepitas (the mixture will be thick and sticky). Stir in the salt and cook, stirring, until the mixture thins and turns dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and smooth out any clumps. Let the brittle cool completely.
• Beat the heavy cream in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until medium peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Top the pie with the whipped cream; break up the brittle and sprinkle on top.

PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Put a 24- by 12-inch sheet of parchment on a work surface and anchor corners with pieces of tape. Bring sugar, water, and sea salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook mixture, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup registers 238°F (soft-ball stage) on thermometer, 10 to 12 minutes (sugar syrup will be colorless). Remove from heat and stir in seeds with a wooden spoon, then continue stirring until syrup crystallizes, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Return pan to moderate heat and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts completely (sugar will continue to dry and become grainy before melting) and turns a deep caramel color, 4 to 5 minutes more (seeds will be toasted). Carefully pour hot caramel mixture onto parchment and carefully cover with another sheet. Immediately roll out (between sheets of parchment) as thinly as possible with a rolling pin, pressing firmly. Remove top sheet of parchment and immediately cut brittle into pieces with a heavy knife or pizza wheel. Cool brittle completely, then peel paper from bottom. (Alternately, break brittle into pieces once cool.)

PUMPKIN SEED BEER BRITTLE

Steps:

• 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.
• Butter a jellyroll pan, and set aside near the stove.
• 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.
• 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.

PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Spray a parchment-lined baking sheet with nonstick spray; set aside. Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 3 tablespoons water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Fit saucepan with thermometer and cook until thermometer registers 290°F, 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in pumpkin seeds, butter, and kosher salt and cook, stirring often, until pale brown and thermometer registers 305°F, 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in baking soda and cinnamon (mixture will bubble vigorously), then immediately pour caramel onto prepared sheet. Using a heatproof spatula, quickly spread out and sprinkle with sea salt; let cool. Break brittle into pieces.
• DO AHEAD: Brittle can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight, layered between sheets of parchment paper, at room temperature.

PUMPKIN-SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet combine the sugar and the water, cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring and washing down the sugar crystals with a brush dipped in cold water until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer it, undisturbed, tilting and rotating the skillet, until it is a deep caramel color. Stir in the pumpkin seeds, stirring until they are coated well, and turn the mixture out onto a buttered sheet of foil, spreading it evenly. Let the brittle cool completely and break it into pieces.
• To toast pumpkin seeds:
• In a bowl toss the seeds with the oil and salt to taste and on an ungreased baking sheet bake them in the middle of a preheated 250°F. oven, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours, or until they are golden and crisp. (Alternatively the prepared seeds may be spread in a microwave-safe glass baking dish, microwaved at high power (100%), stirring after every minute, for 4 minutes, and microwaved at medium power (50%), stirring after every 2 minutes, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they are crisp.) Makes 1/2 cups.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SEED PEANUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the butter, baking soda and kosher salt in a small bowl and place next to the stove. Combine the peanuts, pumpkin seeds and wheat germ in a medium bowl, and place next to the stove.
• Combine 3/4 cup water, the sugar and corn syrup in a large pot set over high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the pot. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 280 degrees F and is amber-colored, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, and very carefully add in the butter mixture and stir vigorously for 45 seconds. The mixture will bubble up aggressively and lighten to an orange-caramel color, if it gets darker, the caramel has gotten too hot and will taste burnt. Stir in the nuts and wheat germ. Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and spread it out in an even layer. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or in a heat-proof bowl set over barely simmering water) over medium-low heat until smooth and shiny, about 5 minutes. Spread the chocolate over the brittle then sprinkle the sea salt over the top. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm and cool to the touch, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Break the brittle into 2- to 3-inch chunks. Store in an airtight container.

PUMPKIN-SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Set aside a large nonstick baking mat or a sheet of oiled aluminum foil. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup water. Place over low heat, and stir until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high to bring mixture to a boil. Allow to boil without stirring until syrup turns golden amber, about 10 minutes. (Do not leave unattended as syrup caramelizes suddenly and burns easily.)
• Remove from heat, and quickly add pumpkin seeds. Tilt pan to coat seeds evenly. Immediately pour onto baking mat or foil, trying to spread mixture in a thin layer. Use a spatula to spread mixture evenly before it begins to set and harden.
• Allow to cool and harden completely before breaking into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SEED PEANUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the butter, baking soda and kosher salt in a small bowl and place next to the stove. Combine the peanuts, pumpkin seeds and wheat germ in a medium bowl, and place next to the stove.
• Combine 3/4 cup water, the sugar and corn syrup in a large pot set over high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the pot. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 280 degrees F and is amber-colored, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, and very carefully add in the butter mixture and stir vigorously for 45 seconds. The mixture will bubble up aggressively and lighten to an orange-caramel color, if it gets darker, the caramel has gotten too hot and will taste burnt. Stir in the nuts and wheat germ. Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and spread it out in an even layer. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or in a heat-proof bowl set over barely simmering water) over medium-low heat until smooth and shiny, about 5 minutes. Spread the chocolate over the brittle then sprinkle the sea salt over the top. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm and cool to the touch, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Break the brittle into 2- to 3-inch chunks. Store in an airtight container.

PUMPKIN SEED BEER BRITTLE

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.