Pecan Brittle

Sep 17, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Extract Advanced

Crunchy, buttery pecan brittle that shatters into shards. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 1 pound (24 pieces).

Prep 10 min

Cook 20 min

Cool 30 min

Total 1 hr

Yield 24 pieces

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pieces

1.0 cup (200.0 g)granulated sugar
½ cup (164.0 g)light corn syrup
¼ cup (60.0 ml)water
2.0 tbsp (28.0 g)unsalted butter, cut into pieces
¼ tspfine sea salt
1.0 cup (110.0 g)toasted pecans
1.0 tspbaking soda, sifted
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

Butter a rimmed baking sheet (or line it with a silicone mat). Measure the baking soda and vanilla into small bowls; you'll need it all fast.
In a heavy 2- to 3-quart saucepan, stir the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Clip on a candy thermometer and boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 300°F (hard-crack stage) and turns light amber, 12 to 18 minutes.
Remove from the heat and quickly stir in the butter and salt, then the vanilla and baking soda (it foams up), then the toasted pecans.
Immediately pour onto the baking sheet and spread thin with a buttered spatula. Cool completely, about 30 minutes, then break into pieces.

Tips

Test your candy thermometer in boiling water first; it should read 212°F at sea level. If it's off, adjust the target temperature by the same amount. Above 1,000 feet, lower every target by about 2°F per 1,000 feet.
Hot sugar causes serious burns; keep children and pets away from the stove while it cooks.
Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
Storage: Store airtight at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; humidity makes brittle sticky.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make pecan brittle?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 30 minutes to cool. It makes about 1 pound (24 pieces).

How should I store pecan brittle?

Store airtight at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; humidity makes brittle sticky.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.

Crunchy, buttery pecan brittle that shatters into shards. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 1 pound (24 pieces).

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

92 Calories / serving

4.2g Fat

14.3g Carbs

0.4g Protein

10.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~2208 cal · 101g fat · 343g carbs · 10g protein · 254g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 92 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 17 min·1.0 mi·~2000 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 12 min·0.6 mi·~1200 steps
Moderate cycling 9 min·1.8 mi
Swimming laps 13 min
Jogging 9 min·0.8 mi·~1450 steps
Stair climbing 8 min·~700 steps
Dancing 15 min
Bodyweight circuit training 9 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 21 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.