Sparks from the Kitchen

I was thinking of making some new candy treat to have to munch on for/around Christmas and I caught Trisha Yearwood’s show and she just happened to be making peanut brittle. It looked so good! And easy! And it was really easy! Stir pot, add peanunts, pour, set, crack. Easy peasy. And it’s really delicious! A nice buttery flavor comes through.

I had planned on giving some out to family with their gifts but I forgot and then it was too late so then I just kept it all for myself :). I’ll be eating it until Spring–this recipe makes a lot.

Peanut Brittle

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 & 1/2 sticks)
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup tap water
• 2 cups shelled raw peanuts

Instructions:

1. Using 1/2 stick of butter very very liberally grease a baking sheet (obviously with sides as you’ll be pouring hot liquid sugar onto it) and set it aside. You may not use all of the butter but butter it really really well. Set it aside.
2. Measure the vanilla into a small bowl and set it aside.
3. Measure the baking soda and salt into another small bowl, stir to combine, and set it aside.
4. In a large saucepan with a heavy bottom combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water. Clip the candy thermometer onto the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue to cook until thermometer reaches 240F then stir in the peanuts carefully. Continue cooking until thermometer reaches 300F.
5. Immediately remove the pan from the heat, add the butter, vanilla, baking soda and salt.  Stir until the butter melts and then quickly pour the mixture onto the baking sheet, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
6. Cool it completely then break the candy into pieces and store in a tightly covered container.

Makes 3 lbs.

From Trisha Yearwood, Food Network