Monster Spicy Brittle Candy Bar Recipe

Tricked out treat. [Photograph: María del Mar Sacasa]
What turned me into such a Halloween bore? I blame the abundance of sexy kitten and sexy bumblebee outfits. Like, gag me with a spoon.
Nonetheless, a sugar-driven individual such as myself finds it difficult to ignore the saccharinepalooza aspect of the (sexy) witches-and-broomsticks eve and thus, I bring you a monster-sized, cocktail nut-and-apple encrusted, spicy, brittle-based, chocolate-covered, and caramel corn and pepita-sprinkled candy bar. Make an appointment with your (sexy) dentist 'cause you'll need a cavity search after you sink your fangs into this wicked good slab.
- Yield:8 to 10
- Active time: 45 minutes
- Total time:1 hour, 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups salted mixed cocktail nuts
- 3/4 cup dried apple rings, chopped
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup caramels, each cut into quarters
- 1 cup popped kettle or caramel corn
- 2 tablespoons roasted and salted pepitas or sunflower seeds
Directions
-
1.
Line a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or heavy-duty foil lengthwise with one sheet, then crosswise with a second sheet to create a sling; grease with butter.
-
2.
Combine nuts, chopped apples, sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne in large heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring with wooden mixing spoon, until sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and boil, stirring frequently (to prevent nuts and apples from sticking and scorching), until mixture is thick and deep amber and temperature reads 295°F on candy thermometer, 8 to 12 minutes.
-
3.
Remove from heat and immediately stir in baking soda and salt. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and quickly spread into even layer.
-
4.
Sprinkle hot brittle with caramel and chocolate chips and let rest until chips melt, about 3 minutes. Swirl chocolate in even layer with back of soup spoon and sprinkle with kettle corn and pepitas.
-
5.
Refrigerated brittle until cool and hardened and chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Pull brittle out onto work surface with help of sling, and using a meat mallet or other blunt object, break brittle into pieces and serve.
This Recipe Appears In
Halloween Treats: Monster Spicy Brittle Candy BarAll products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.
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