Walnut Brittle - Orasnice - Cookhouse Diary

Orasnice - walnut brittle in a metal tray on parchment paper.

5 from 1 vote

Walnut Brittle - Orasnice

This Walnut Brittle is a traditional Serbian dessert that combines caramelized sugar and walnuts into a crunchy, sweet treat. The simple mixture is poured onto a greased surface to harden into a thin layer, making it a nostalgic favorite for festive occasions or homemade indulgence.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Cooling time30

Total Time55

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Serbian

Servings: cups

Calories: 720kcal

Author: Nataša

Equipment

Small pot
spatula
baking pan
Pastry brush
Parchment paper
Kitchen hammer

Ingredients

2 cups cane sugar (organic)
1 ¾ cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions

Melt the sugar in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even caramelization.
Stir in the walnuts once the sugar has melted and turned a golden amber color.
Mix quickly to coat the nuts evenly before the caramel hardens.
Pour the mixture onto a greased tray, spreading it into a thin layer.
Allow it to cool for 30 minutes and harden before breaking it into pieces.

Notes

Prep Your Workspace in Advance: Before you start caramelizing the sugar, make sure you have a greased baking sheet, parchment paper, or a silicone mat ready to go. Once it cools, the caramel hardens very quickly, so you’ll need to act quickly after combining the nuts with the sugar. Prepping all your tools and surfaces ensures smooth and stress-free assembly.
Handle Hot Caramel with Care: Caramelized sugar can reach incredibly high temperatures and harden quickly, so be cautious when handling it. If necessary, wear heat-resistant gloves and avoid touching the mixture directly. If pouring, do so gently to prevent splashes that can cause burns.
Be Patient with Caramelization: Sugar melts slowly, and increasing the heat to speed up the process can cause it to burn or result in an uneven texture. Once most of the sugar has melted, stir frequently, keep the heat at medium-low, and watch for a deep golden amber color. If the sugar starts to darken too quickly, momentarily remove it from the heat to prevent burning.
Quick Spread for Thin Brittle: Combine the caramel and nuts. Pour the mixture onto your prepared surface and spread it quickly with a greased spatula or the back of a spoon. Work fast to create a thin, even layer before it cools and hardens.
Mess-Free Breaking Technique: After the brittle has fully cooled and hardened, place parchment paper over it before breaking it into pieces. Using a hammer or the back of a heavy spoon, gently tap the brittle to create smaller, evenly sized-pieces without causing a mess. This prevents shards from flying everywhere and makes cleanup much simpler.

Nutrition