Peanut Brittle

 

As promised last week, this week I'm featuring a series of posts devoted to Christmas goodies.  It's a whole week of recipes from Granny, and the first up is peanut brittle.  This is a treat I remember enjoying every year growing up, and it is super easy to make.

Equipment you will need:

• Large pot
• Candy thermometer
• Jelly roll pan, greased

Ingredient you will need:

•  2 cups sugar
• 1 cup white corn syrup
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups raw peanuts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoon baking soda

Combine the sugar, syrup, water, and salt in the large pot.  Position the thermometer in the pot, making sure that the tip of the thermometer doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.  Stirring consistently to prevent burning, bring the ingredients to a boil at 238 degrees (or approximately the soft ball stage).

Add the butter and the peanuts and boil to 310 degrees, the hard crack stage.  Be sure you keep stirring!!

When you reach 310 degrees, remove the pot from the heat and add the vanilla and baking soda.  Stir until it is fluffy (which is basically right away), and pour into your greased pan.  Try to pour and spread the brittle quickly and as thin as possible.

Once the brittle is cool, break into smaller pieces.  Store in an air tight container with parchment paper between the layers.

 Enjoy!!