Brighten your dessert spread with a colorful, crunchy twist: Jelly Bean Brittle. This easy, festive candy is a playful way to use leftover jelly beans, and it makes a cheerful treat for parties, gifts, or everyday snacking.
Easter Candy
If you want a fun, spring-ready confection, Jelly Bean Brittle delivers. It pairs the familiar crunch of brittle with the burst of color and flavor from jelly beans. The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, requires no candy thermometer if you test the syrup by the cold-water method, and comes together quickly. It’s a creative solution for leftover Easter candy and a unique alternative to traditional brittle recipes.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Transforms leftover jelly beans into a crowd-pleasing treat
- Easy to package for gifts or party favors
- No specialized equipment required
- A playful, colorful spin on classic brittle
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1 lb. miniature jelly beans — or chopped gumdrops or candy-coated chocolates as alternatives
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup — golden syrup or glucose syrup can substitute
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons butter (real butter, not margarine) — salted or unsalted both work
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
✨ Variations
- Pastel spring version: Use pastel jelly beans for an Easter-ready look and softer hues.
- Chocolate finish: After the brittle cools, drizzle with melted chocolate and let it set for a two-layer treat.
- Nutty crunch: Stir in chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
🔥 Tips For Success
- Do not stir the sugar-syrup while it is coming to a boil — stirring can cause crystallization. Gently swirl the pot if needed.
- Test for the hard crack stage by dropping a small amount of syrup into a cup of cold water — if it forms brittle threads, it’s ready.
- Spray the spatula and the foil or liner well with cooking spray so the hot brittle spreads smoothly and releases easily.
- Work quickly when pouring and spreading the hot syrup — it sets fast, and you want an even layer over the jelly beans.
- Store the finished brittle in an airtight container at room temperature away from humidity to keep it crisp.
❓ FAQs
Yes. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the brittle stays crisp for up to two weeks. Keep it away from steam and heat.
No. You can use a candy thermometer and aim for about 300°F (149°C), or test by dropping syrup into cold water to check for the hard crack stage.
Proceed with caution. Many sugar-free candies melt or change texture when heated. Try a small test batch first to see how they hold up.
Absolutely. Jelly Bean Brittle is a creative use for leftover jelly beans and turns them into a shareable snack.
Give this Jelly Bean Brittle a try for your next celebration or to turn leftover sweets into something new. It’s simple to make, eye-catching, and fun to share.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Peanut Butter Easter Eggs
- Rainbow Candy Bark
- Bunny Bait
- Easter Sprinkle Cookies
Jelly Bean Brittle
By: Jamie Sherman
Servings: 16
Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Additional: 1 hr | Total: 1 hr 30 mins
Equipment
- Baking sheet (rimmed)
- Aluminum foil or parchment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Clean dish towel or work surface for cooling
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bag miniature jelly beans
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons butter (not margarine)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Also spray a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Spread the jelly beans in an even layer across the prepared sheet.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Do not stir once boiling begins; allow the mixture to boil until it turns a deep golden color and reaches the hard crack stage (about 10–12 minutes).
- Remove from heat and carefully stir in the butter, baking soda, and salt. The mixture will foam. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes glossy, about 4–5 minutes.
- Immediately pour the hot candy over the jelly beans and quickly spread it with the greased spatula into an even layer.
- Allow the brittle to cool completely. Once hard, invert the sheet onto a clean work surface, peel off the foil, then break the brittle into bite-sized pieces.
- Store in an airtight container or wrap pieces for gifting.
Notes
- Hard crack test: Drop a small amount of syrup into cold water; if it forms hard, brittle threads, it is ready.
- Work fast: The candy sets quickly, so spread it right away after pouring.
- Prevent sticking: Generously spray foil and spatula to make removal and spreading easier.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks; avoid humidity.
- Gifting: Wrap pieces in cellophane bags or include them in holiday baskets for a colorful presentation.
Nutrition
Approximate per serving: Calories: 330 kcal; Carbohydrates: 80 g; Protein: 0.02 g; Fat: 2 g; Sugar: 74 g. Use as an estimate only.