While growing up in the 50's and 60's, my mom used to use cashews, or pecans or peanuts with the skins (my sister Cheri's favorite) to make both fudge and "peanut" brittle.  Those were 2 of our favorites in our household.  We loved store bought Ribbon Candy, but it was too expensive to have very often and it was too difficult to make at home. 

We also made hard candy -  cinnamon candy (when we could get cinnamon oil from the druggist) and one time my sister and I made clove flavored candy because we picked up clove oil instead of cinnamon oil.  Boy you gotta be careful with both of those because alone they can burn your skin badly.

https://www.amish365.com/amish-crack-cashew-crunch/