Active Time

　　25 minutes

　　Total Time

　　30 minutes

　　Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 30 min

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 2/3 cup

　　2/3 cup sugar

　　1 1/2 tablespoons fennel seeds, toasted

　　1 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest

　　

Step 1

Line a large baking sheet with a sheet of foil, then lightly oil foil. Cook sugar in a dry 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel. Immediately remove from heat and stir in fennel seeds and zest, then quickly pour onto baking sheet, spreading with back of spoon before syrup hardens.

　　

Step 2

Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then break into pieces and pulse in a food processor until finely ground.

　　Cooks' note:

　　• For a crunchy garnish, break some or all of brittle into 2-inch pieces instead of grinding in food processor.