Black Sesame Brittle Snack (Printable Page)

A crunchy caramel snack with toasted black sesame seeds, ideal for a sweet, nutty bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seeds

01 - 1/2 cup black sesame seeds, toasted

→ Caramel

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup water
04 - 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
05 - 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
07 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat
02 - Toast black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and set aside
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently until sugar dissolves
04 - Stop stirring and allow mixture to cook until it reaches deep golden amber color, approximately 8-10 minutes. Swirl pan occasionally for even coloring
05 - Remove from heat. Immediately stir in butter and vanilla extract, then quickly stir in baking soda. The mixture will foam significantly
06 - Add toasted black sesame seeds to caramel mixture and stir thoroughly to combine
07 - Pour hot mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread as thinly as possible using a greased spatula. Allow to cool completely for approximately 30 minutes
08 - Once fully cooled, break brittle into desired serving pieces

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It shatters with a satisfying crack that makes you feel like you're eating something fancy, even though you made it yourself.
  • Black sesame adds an earthy, slightly mysterious flavor that regular brittle could never pull off.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes if you stay focused and don't get distracted scrolling your phone.
02 -
  • Once you stop stirring the caramel, do not go back and try to stir it again no matter how uneven it looks, because you'll crystallize the whole thing and create a grainy, disappointing disaster.
  • Spreading the brittle thin is what separates shards from thick, hard candy pieces, and thin is always better because it stays crunchier.
  • Black sesame seeds toast fast, so if you're not paying attention you'll end up with burnt, acrid flavors instead of that beautiful toasted nuttiness.
03 -
  • Have everything prepped and in reach before you start cooking the caramel because once it's moving, it moves fast and there's no time to scramble for ingredients.
  • If your caramel starts to crystallize while cooking, add a tiny splash of water and swirl the pan gently, but resist the urge to stir or you'll make things worse.
  • A candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of the color stage if you're nervous about burning it, aiming for 350°F for that deep golden amber.
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