Active Time

　　20 min

　　Total Time

　　35 min

　　

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

　　1/2 cup coarsely chopped salted macadamia nuts (2 oz)

　　1 cup sugar

　　1/2 cup water

　　1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 250°F. Lightly oil a large sheet of foil on a baking sheet, then warm in oven.

　　

Step 2

Shake nuts in a coarse sieve to remove any nut powder (this will create a clearer brittle).

　　

Step 3

Cook sugar and water in a deep 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork, until melted and pale golden. Cook caramel without stirring, swirling pan, until golden. Immediately stir in red pepper flakes and nuts and cook, stirring, until nuts are golden, about 1 minute. Quickly pour onto foil, tilting baking sheet to spread brittle evenly before it hardens. (If caramel hardens too fast, put in a 400°F oven until warm enough to spread, 1 to 2 minutes.) Cool brittle on baking sheet on a rack until completely hardened, then break into large pieces.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Brittle may be made 3 days ahead and kept in an airtight container at cool room temperature.