Peanut Brittle

[pixie]

Anyone out there ever make peanut brittle? I thought I'd make brittle this year for holiday gift giving, instead of the usual cookies for a bit of a change and I keep burning the sugar!

I am using a candy thermometer and the sugar comes up to 230 degress w/o incident, but once I get it to 260 and add the nuts it bubbles up, foams and burns?

If anyone out there has made candy and can offer insight I'd be grateful - THANKS!

[KaPow]

Haven't made it- but would love to eat some :D and of course get the recipe :lol:

[pixie]

I downloaded this one from epicurious.com and it worked out much better than the first attempt.

Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle from Bon Appetit Nov. 1992

3 cups sugar
2 cups water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
4 cups coarsely chopped salted roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Butter 2 heavy large baking sheets. Stir first 4 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until candy thermometer registers 260°F., about 40 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Mix in peanuts and butter and cook until thermometer registers 295°F., stirring constantly, about 15 minutes. Add baking soda and vanilla and stir briskly (mixture will foam up). Immediately pour out onto prepared baking sheets, dividing evenly. Spread out brittle as thinly as possible. Let stand until cold and hard.

Break brittle into pieces. Store in airtight containers at room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 month ahead.)

[pixie]

When you add the vanilla the sugar mixture fizzes and foams quickly, so if you have a pan with high sides you might break it out for this one.

Enjoy.