Monday, January 26, 2009

Working for peanuts?


You could be today because it's National Peanut Brittle Day! I know, you're excited, right? I love peanut brittle, but that's probably no surprise. My husband makes really good homemade peanut brittle. Do you know what brittle is? It's a confection, usually very hard and brittle, made of caramel or near-caramel sugar syrup, and nuts such as peanuts, pecans, and almonds. Fascinating. There are lots of recipes for recipes, including some microwave ones. I hope to talk Rick into making a batch later today. That is, once he shells all these peanuts in this bowl. If he does make some, maybe I'll change the picture to the final product. ETA -- it turned out yummy!

PEANUT BRITTLE
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2-1/2 cups raw peanuts
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Butter two baking sheets and butter the sides of a 3-qt saucepan. In the pan combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and butter. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Clip candy thermometer to side of pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue boil at a steady rate, stirring occasionally,until thermometer says 275 degrees (soft-crack stage, about 30 minutes). Stir in nuts and continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until thermometer registers 295 degrees (hard-crack stage, 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat and remove thermometer. Sprinkle baking soda quickly over the mixture while stirring. Immediately pour onto buttered baking sheets. Use two forks to lift and pull the mixture as it cools. Let cool completely before breaking into pieces. Store in a tightly covered container. Makes 2-1/4 pounds of peanut brittle, about 72 pieces.

18 comments:

  1. mmmmmmmm. . . good luck getting your brittle! mmmmmmmm! Did I mention mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

    I'll have to bookmark this recipe.

    Christy

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  2. I love peanut brittle.. or almond brittle... or cashew brittle...
    Well you get the picture! lol
    Now this is a holiday I could really get into!

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  3. Sounds really good Rena, I love peanut brittle! My mom has a yummy yummy microwave recipe! I loved peanuts!

    Nancy

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  4. Thanks for the sweet, sweet recipe!

    Meek

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  5. MMM sounds good!

    Wish I could have some!

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  6. Thanks for the recipe, Rena. This sounds like something I could make for my hubby. I wish my hubby would learn to make things. How do you get a husband in the kitchen?
    Erin

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  7. I have a friend who makes the microwave recipe, so I know that actually works.
    Hope yours comes out great!

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  8. Yum! I'm impressed at your cooking. I'm not sure mine would come out so nicely!

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  9. Why must you torture me with the yum?

    Looks goooood...

    Gale

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  10. Sounds yummy for my tummy! I've made almond brittle, walnut brittle but never the most popular "peanut" brittle. Now I have another thing on my "to-do" list :)

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  11. Thanks for commenting, everyone. I sit here typing with one hand while the other holds sticky brittle. Rick was really sweet to make this for me today. I was getting tired of moving the bag of peanuts around the cupboard. :)

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  12. Sounds delicious. But it makes my teeth ache looking at it!!! :-))

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  13. Oh, yummmmm! But I'm trying to lose weight. Don't be cruel! ;)

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  14. Yum, yum...I love all things peanuts. Glad you got your hands onto some homemade brittle.

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  15. That is so cool that you still have your handprint. I don't remember doing anything like that as a child, though. Wish we had...it's cool and what a memory!

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  16. I love peanut brittle...I can't believer I missed this day! I really got to get a better calendar...grin...

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