Sesame-Seed Brittle

Photo: vanillakanela

Ingredients

3 cups sesame seeds

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup honey

1/2 Juice of an orange

Preparation

In a large dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds lightly. Set aside. Butter or oil a jelly roll pan and set aside.

Heat the sugar, water, and honey in a saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the mixture reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer. Stir in the lemon juice and sesame seeds and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon.

Spread the pastelli over the buttered jelly roll pan and flatten with a metal spatula, spreading it evenly over the surface of the pan. While the pastelli is still warm, cut it into strips and then into diagonal wedges. Let it sit to cool for several hours or overnight. Remove the pieces from the tray and store in between layers of wax paper in several cookie tins. Keep in a cool, dry place.