The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe)
Brittle is something that I’ve grown up with since as far back as I can remember. It’s practically the undisputed snack of the South, and while I love the traditional peanut brittle, I wanted to try some delicious variations for the holidays. What better way to make something feel like the holiday season than to add cinnamon flavor? Those are my thoughts exactly! I will show you how to make The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe) and have you attend the next gathering with a sweet treat that no one will expect or forget!
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When I was a kid (80s—90s), we used to sell brittle at the church. It was a great way to fundraise. Why? Because it holds up well, lasts a long time at room temperature, is easy to transfer, and EVERYONE adores it! I’m sure you have probably seen those round patties of peanut brittle in plastic wrap sitting on the counter of a local convenience store or in the foyer of your hometown church.
It’s just a part of growing up in the South and a small town.
The older ladies at the church knew how to make some of the BEST brittle and were always around for special occasions.
I grew up thinking this process was complicated and that you had to be older and wiser to attempt to make this delicious, sugary treat. After all, a candy thermometer was involved, specific temperatures, and boiling sugar that would take your skin off if you made the wrong move.
It sounded intimidating to me, but thankfully, as an adult, I’ve come to my senses and realized that it’s just simple steps that are carefully followed.
So, I want you to know this is truly an easy recipe. The result won’t look easy, but you don’t have to let anyone know it was a breeze to make! (Let them stare in awe.) And when you are trying to make treats for the holidays and have a million things to do and a thousand places to be, you want something that isn’t too strenuous. But you want it to look and taste like you spent every waking hour baking in the kitchen.
(And this recipe will satisfy both of those things.)
One element that makes it so easy is the simple ingredients. There’s nothing crazy here to buy that you won’t use again. (That’s such a pain and seems to happen around the holidays more than any other time of year.) This full recipe has only eight ingredients, all of which are pantry and fridge staples, except for the almonds. (Which, by the way, are relatively cheap compared to pecans.)
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Now, let’s talk about this variation of brittle. As previously stated, peanut brittle is what most people are used to making and eating. I’ve only ever seen one other variation of brittle in my lifetime, and they changed the nut used. It was pecan brittle, and it was more expensive. (HA)
The brittle I’m showing you introduces almonds and brings warm flavors like cinnamon to the front.
(When I think of the holidays, cinnamon is king of the spice rack.)
If you want to bump up the “holiday flavor,” you could add a touch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon. I could see this beautifully wrapped in Christmas tins and gifted or sitting in serving platters on the coffee table as a pre-Christmas dinner snack.
I feel like all of my cinnamon lovers will rejoice over this recipe. (HA) Or at least that’s what my brother told me. He calls us “Cinnaheads.” That’s the term he has created for people like myself who are borderline obsessed with the spice. And I’m not mad about it. I’m proud of my fascination with cinnamon. It shows up in so many ways, and I know I can’t be the only one. How do I know that? Well, all of these popular products that I use daily have the option of cinnamon flavoring. That has to mean something, right?!
- Cinnamon Toothpaste—I only feel like my teeth and breath are fresh if I use cinnamon. Nothing else comes close.
- Cinnamon gum – Who doesn’t love that spicy bite that slightly burns your tongue when chewing gum? It’s the best.
- Cinnamon coffee creamer makes that cup seem extra warm and special. (I add cinnamon to my heavy cream and froth it well.)
- Crackers, applesauce, peanut butter, etc. – the list of food items that contain cinnamon is endless. (There’s no need to list; you get my point.)
Tips for The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe):
- If you want to get that signature round patty of brittle, pour a thin layer of the boiling liquid into an aluminum foil pie pan and let it cool.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease your baking sheet with butter and place in the oven to stay warm at 200 degrees until you need it. (Keeping it warm will help the mixture spread when you pour instead of seizing up in a big pile on the baking sheet.)
What are some common holiday desserts that can be jazzed up by adding cinnamon to them?
- Pecan Pie -Give them something to talk about with a dash of cinnamon in this Christmas classic.
- Homemade cinnamon vanilla ice cream: Sprinkle some cinnamon into your creamy custard base and use it to top your other favorite classics, like Apple pie and peach cobbler.
- Graham cracker crust – “There’s something special about this crust.” That’s exactly what your guests will say, but they won’t realize that cinnamon is the reason. Simply put your graham crackers in a food processor with cinnamon and sugar and blend until they become fine crumbs. Place the graham cracker crumbs into the pie dish with 1 stick of melted butter and mix thoroughly with your hands. Press into the pie plate and up the sides to form the crust and fill with your favorite pie ingredients!
- Mix cinnamon into your base of cream cheese frosting for those homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Remember, the “Cinnaheads” can’t have too much cinnamon flavor!
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If you have a sweet tooth, I’m sure this all sounds amazing, but what about the REAL “CINNAHEADS” that love the spice in things other than pie recipes and sweet breakfasts? Have no fear; I will list some savory dishes that are all the better because of a sprinkle of this glorious spice. (I hope to tackle these for the BLOG in the coming months/year.)
- Bavarian Pot Roast
- Moroccan Chicken
- Baked Ham with Cinnamon glaze
The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe) Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cups light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 cups slivered almonds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe) Instructions:
- The first step is adding sugar, corn syrup, and water to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Second, boil the mixture, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
- Third, once the sugar and water have come to a boil, stop stirring and let the liquid reach a temperature of 240 degrees F.
- Then, when the sugar water mixture has reached 240 degrees, stir in the almonds, cinnamon, salt, and butter.
- Next, stir the mixture to prevent burning and cook until it reaches 300 degrees F. It will begin to turn golden brown.
- Once the mixture has reached 300 degrees F., please remove it from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
- Immediately pour half of the mixture in a thin layer onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and the other half onto another.
- Let the brittle cool completely for about an hour.
- Finally, break the brittle into pieces and enjoy!
Storage for The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe):
- Brittle can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months! (keep away from direct sunlight and moisture)
What are the Macros for The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe)?
Makes 1 serving (Nutritional information below is for 1 serving)
- Calories – 4,289
- Protein – 60.7 grams
- Carbs – 615.5 grams (net)
- Fat – 184.5 grams
Check out some of my other cinnamon recipes!
Cinnamon Rolls with Sourdough Starter
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The Best Cinnamon Almond Brittle (Easy Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 heavy bottomed pot
- 2 baking sheets
- 1 sugar thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cups light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 cups slivered almonds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- The first step is adding sugar, corn syrup, and water to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Second, boil the mixture, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
- Third, once the sugar and water have come to a boil, stop stirring and let the liquid reach a temperature of 240 degrees F.
- Then, when the sugar water mixture has reached 240 degrees, stir in the almonds, cinnamon, salt, and butter.
- Next, stir the mixture to prevent burning and cook until it reaches 300 degrees F. It will begin to turn golden brown.
- Once the mixture has reached 300 degrees F., please remove it from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
- Immediately pour half of the mixture in a thin layer onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and the other half onto another.
- Let the brittle cool completely for about an hour.
- Finally, break the brittle into pieces and enjoy!
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