Favorite Holiday Desert/Treat Recipe

 

Today has been crazy busy! Exams started today and the last little bit of work I had to finish for classes! I am so glad it is almost over for my birthday and Christmas! My mom even asked for a Christmas list today….hardest thing I have done in a while! But, I have made it through the day and I am back for day 6 of Neely’s Fabulous Holiday Challenge! Today’s topic is Favorite Holiday Desert/Treat Recipe. Since I love peanuts I have to say peanut brittle is my favorite Christmas treat!

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. water

1 tsp. vanilla

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup water

1 cup light corn syrup

3tbsp. butter or margarine

1 pound shelled unroasted peanuts

1.    Heat oven to 200ºF. Butter 2 cookie sheets, 15 1/2x12 inches, and keep warm in oven. Mix baking soda, 1 teaspoon water and the vanilla; reserve.

2.    Mix sugar, 1 cup water and the corn syrup in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 240ºF on candy thermometer or until small amount of syrup dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water.

3.     Stir in butter and peanuts. Cook, stirring constantly, to 300ºF or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard, brittle threads. (Watch carefully so mixture does not burn.) Immediately remove from heat. Quickly stir in baking soda mixture until light and foamy.

4.    Pour half the candy mixture onto each cookie sheet; quickly spread about 1/4 inch thick. Cool completely, at least 1 hour. Break into pieces. Store in covered container.