Just give in to your inner hedonist and enjoy this addictive, nowhere-near-healthy snack.

What to buy: Different brands of bacon vary quite a bit in their salt content, so you may want to adjust the amount of salt you add to the brittle accordingly.

Special equipment: A reliable candy/fat thermometer is crucial for getting an accurate read on the caramel.

Game plan: The brittle can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

  • Yields: 8 to 10 servings (about 1 pound)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Total: 1 hr

Ingredients (5)

  • 2/3 cup raw cashews (about 4 ounces)
  • 8 ounces bacon
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. While the oven is heating, place cashews on a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until deep brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly on a cutting board, then coarsely chop; set aside.
  2. When the oven is ready, place bacon on a baking sheet and roast until deep brown and well done, about 15 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool; reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, coat the paper with a thin layer of the reserved fat, and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack. Crumble bacon into bite-sized pieces; set aside.
  3. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and stir until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally (do not stir), until mixture is deep amber and registers 350°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately remove the pan from heat.
  4. Carefully add cashews, bacon, and salt to the caramel and stir to combine. Immediately pour mixture onto the center of the prepared baking sheet. Let sit at room temperature until hardened, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely, then break into shards.