Chocolate Covered Hazelnut Brittle 

Hazelnut is not only delicious; it also packs with many health benefits. Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E, dietary fiber, magnesium, and heart healthy B vitamins; it is good for the heart. This delicious candy made with fresh roasted Oregon Hazelnut is perfect for satisfying your occasional sweet tooth.

    Ingredients:
  •  2 C. sugar
  • 1/2 C. light corn syrup
  • 3 C. hazelnuts, roasted and broken into pieces
  • 3 T. butter
  • 1 t. baking soda
  • 2 t. vanilla extract

    • Method:
    (1) Combine the sugar, corn syrup and a ash of salt in a heavy steel pot. Cook on low heat until the sugar melts and the syrup turns to a brown caramel (5-10 minutes)
    (2) Add the hazelnuts, stir and cook for another minute until hazelnuts are coated.
    (3) Add the butter, baking soda and vanilla extract, stir until well incorporated.(Caution: Use a stiff spoon when stirring the mixture. A silicon spatula may flex and cause burns.)
    (4) Pour mixture onto a Silpad or a well greased cookie sheet. Spread the hot mix thin.
    (5) Spread 1 C. chocolate chips on top of the hot mix.
    (6) Wait until the candy sheet is completely cooled. Break it into smaller pieces with the back of a spoon.
    Keep the pieces in an air-tight container. Enjoy!
chocolate hazelnut brittle

Equipment Corner: A heavy cast iron pan is ideal for pancake making. It distributes heat evenly and allows the pancakes to be cooked uniformly. I like La Creuset cookwares. Coated with a chip- and crack-resistant enamel inside and out, it offers the even heat and gentle cooking of cast-iron without reaction to foods or the usual high maintenance. It is truly an heirloom piece.

Caution: Not all cast iron enamel cookwares are created equal. The cheaper knockouts usually do not have the enamel bonding that is required in such a high heat cooking application, so they frequrently crack and leave unsightly stains on the cookware. A good piece may cost more at the beginning, but it will pay for itself in the long run.