
A historical confectionery from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Use any nuts with this recipe.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Put the sugar, butter, vinegar and water together into a thick saucepan
When it begins to thicken, add the nuts
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To test it, take up a very small quantity as quickly as possible directly from the centre, taking care not to disturb it any more than is necessary
Drop it into cold water, and remove from the fire the moment the little particles are brittle
Pour into buttered plates
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
This recipe creates a classic brittle through precise sugar crystallization control. The vinegar (an acid) inverts some of the sucrose into glucose and fructose, preventing large crystal formation and creating a smooth, glass-like texture. The butter adds fat that helps prevent the mixture from becoming grainy while contributing richness. The cold water test is a reliable method for checking the hard crack stage (300-310°F), where sugar loses nearly all moisture and becomes brittle when cooled.
The nuts can be toasted and cooled up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container. The candy itself is best made on the day of serving for optimal texture, though it can be made up to 2 days ahead if stored properly.
Store the brittle in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Do not refrigerate, as moisture will make the candy sticky. If the candy becomes sticky due to humidity, place in a 200°F oven for 5-10 minutes to drive off moisture, then cool completely before storing again.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The nuts can be toasted and cooled up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container. The candy itself is best made on the day of serving for optimal texture, though it can be made up to 2 days ahead if stored properly.
Store the brittle in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Do not refrigerate, as moisture will make the candy sticky. If the candy becomes sticky due to humidity, place in a 200°F oven for 5-10 minutes to drive off moisture, then cool completely before storing again.