What does the term "brittle" refer to in confections?

The term "brittle" specifically refers to a type of hard candy that is typically made from sugar and often incorporates nuts, such as peanuts or almonds, within it. The process involves cooking sugar to a high temperature until it reaches the hard crack stage, resulting in a candy that is both crunchy and has a glass-like texture when broken apart. This characteristic of being hard and crisp is what defines brittle, making it distinct from other types of confections.

The other options describe different types of confections that do not align with the definition of brittle. Chewy candies typically involve a different texture and composition, while soft candies and frozen desserts have entirely separate characteristics and ingredient bases that do not match the hard, crunchy nature of brittle.