published Dec 29, 2020, updated Nov 01, 2024 Candy isn’t as difficult to make at home as it seems, and this pistachio brittle is too good to pass up! With honey, corn syrup, and sugar in the mix, this iconic Persian candy is rather sweet. It features two beloved Persian ingredients — saffron and pistachios — that give the sweet a nutty and floral taste that’s beyond delicious. I think it’s perfect to serve with a floral tea or cup of coffee. Pistachios are well-loved in many Middle Eastern desserts: barazek, halva, and Turkish delights are all popular desserts with that irresistible toasty, nutty flavor. I’m also adding slivered almonds for extra nuttiness and a toasty crunch. If you’re not a fan of the texture, you can use crushed or chopped almonds — or omit them entirely.
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Rimmed Baking Sheet – You’ll need a baking sheet with edges to prevent the sticky mixture from spilling over. A quick tip: if you’re worried about being able to spread the mixture before it starts to cool, you can keep the baking sheet warm in the oven until use to keep the mixture liquid for a little longer. Silpat® (or any silicone baking mat) – Each Silpat® baking mat is made in France and is made from sustainable materials. This allows it to be used over 2,000 times. The fiberglass gives it flexibility, it allows even cooking. No need to grease or flour your mat, place your candy or cookie directly on the mat. Candy Thermometer – Most meat thermometers either don’t read to a high enough temperature or are too short to safely work with candy, so get a thermometer specifically for this purpose. Saucepan
Storing
Slivered Almonds & Chopped Pistachios – Almonds are cooked into the pistachio brittle for a rich, complex nuttiness, while the pistachios are added at the very end to sink into the hardening candy. Dried Rose Petals & Rose Water – The delicate sweetness and aroma of roses take this pistachio brittle recipe to a whole other level. Be sure to use food-grade rose petals. Saffron – This golden spice has an intense floral sweetness and subtle earthiness. It has no substitute! Sweeteners Light Corn Syrup – Corn syrup can be substituted with another syrup sweetener, such as golden syrup or brown rice syrup, or make a homemade simple syrup with sugar and water. Honey – Honey mirrors the flavors in the saffron and roses. Sugar Baking Soda – A key ingredient in any brittle recipe, baking soda starts the foamy chemical reaction that decreases the acidity (lowering the pH) of the caramel. This is what makes the Persian candy, well, brittle. Salt – This pistachio brittle recipe includes regular kosher salt, but also flaky sea salt as a final topping for texture and a burst of sharp, salty flavor to balance out the sweet. Unsalted Butter – If using salted butter, omit the kosher salt.
Luckily, it lasts for several weeks at room temperature, so refrigerating and freezing isn’t even necessary. Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
