Wafer Thin Diplomacy
Caramelized Nilla Wafer Brittle with Spiced Thai Peanut Butter Glaze
30 minutes
Serves 4
DessertItalianGluten-free
Herb's take
We're crossing culinary borders today: classic American cookies get a Southeast Asian upgrade, culminating in a sweet, salty, and crunchy brittle that’s ready to surprise your dessert table. By caramelizing Nilla wafers and enrobing them in a grown-up, Thai-inspired peanut butter glaze, you'll learn a clever confectioner's technique worthy of any global sweets menu.
Ingredients
Yield
4
Instructions
- 01Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- 02In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, and kosher salt. Stir until sugar dissolves, then bring to a simmer. Cook, without stirring, until the mixture reaches a light golden color, about 5–6 minutes.
- 03Remove the pan from heat and immediately stir in unsalted butter and vanilla extract; the mixture will bubble vigorously.
- 04Quickly stir in the broken Nilla wafers and toasted coconut flakes until well coated.
- 05Scrape the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle with lime zest while still hot.
- 06Let the brittle cool completely at room temperature, about 15 minutes, until hardened.
- 07While brittle cools, make the peanut butter glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir gently until smooth and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
- 08Once the brittle is cool and set, break it into rough shards. Drizzle the warm spiced peanut butter glaze generously over the top. Let set for 5 minutes or until glaze firms up slightly.
- 09Plate shards on a platter for sharing. Serve with extra lime zest or coconut flakes if desired.
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