Sesame-Nut Crunch

Makes about 2 1/2 lbs.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 3/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups (3/4 lb) hulled salted roasted peanuts
2 1/2 cups (3/4 lb) salted roasted cashews
1/2 cup (2 1/2 oz) hulled salted roasted sunflower seeds
3 Tbs sesame seeds

1. Butter a sheet of foil, about 12" x 18"

2. In a nonstick 5- to 6-quart pan over medium heat, frequently stir 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, cayenne, and salt until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.

3. Add peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Turn heat up to high and stir until mixture is very thick and nuts begin to brown, 4 to 6 minutes.

4. Immediately pour mixture onto buttered foil, spreading as thinly as possible with back of a spoon. Cool until mixture is lukewarm, about 15 minutes.

5. With your hands, release brittle from foil, then pull or break it into bite-size pieces. When cool, immediately store airtight (otherwise, the coating absorbs moisture and gets sticky).

Submitted by Emily Sprague