Peanut Brittle

Candy is a great treat to give as a gift for a birthday, Father's Day or Mother's Day, Christmas or 'just because,' and with a simple candy recipe you can make your own treats from the heart!

If you don't have a candy theremometer, it's a small tool which will help a lot in candy making, not too expensive and something I highly recommend if you are new to candy-making.

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

2 cups raw peanuts (these are shelled peanuts with nothing on them, no skins)

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp butter (plus extra for your fingers later)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)


1. Mix together (in a 3 quart, heavy bottom sauce pan) sugar, water, syrup, salt and peanuts.

2. Stir over LOW heat until well blended,

3. Then raise heat to MED-HI and boil WITHOUT stirring to 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer.

4. While syrup is cooking, generously butter a baking sheet & set aside.

5. Measure butter, soda and vanilla. Keep them close by.

6. When syrup reaches 300 degrees REMOVE from heat IMMEDIATELY add butter, soda and vanilla.

7. Stir and pour onto baking sheet. Spread as much as possible it will be stiff and start to harden quickly.

8. Butter your fingers will stretch the remainder to the edges of the pan. IT WILL BE HOT.

9. Cool, then break into pieces.

Store in an airtight container with waxed paper lining.

Safety First:
This is not a task for children to help with.
This is not a task to start if you may become distracted because the contents of the pot are very hot and working with them can be dangerous if you are not focused. The syrup begins to stiffen quickly and time is of the essence.


Substitutes:
* cashews (raw, unsalted)
* almonds (raw, unsalted)
* mixed nuts (raw, unsalted)

Completed candy is worth the effort. Cost is comparable to pre-made, but your own effort is priceless.