Peanut Brittle

It's getting close to Christmas time and that means delicious candies to make for the holiday. Peanut brittle is one of those candies that we make every year for Christmas. However, it is good any time of the year, not just for Christmas.. This recipe is easy to make and so much better then the kind you buy at the grocery store.

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. peanuts, (shells removed if using the kind pictured above)
1 Tbs. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda

Directions

Butter the bottom of a heavy baking pan or cookie sheet. Set aside. You can also line it with parchment paper.

In a large, heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt and water. Over medium heat, stir until all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture comes to a full boil.   

Add the butter to the mixture. Stirring occasionally, continue cooking until the mixture reaches 280°.

Stir in the peanuts, salt, and vanilla. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the temperature reaches 300°.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.  Be careful at this stage, because the baking soda will cause the mixture to foam up rapidly. 

Immediately pour the hot mixture into the prepared cookie sheet. Working quickly spread the peanut brittle evenly across baking sheet. Allow to cool.

When cool, break into pieces. Store in an air-tight container.