One More Candy for the Road

  

http://pinterest.com/pin/217861700693703548/

   A little moment with Pinterest lead me to The Comfort of Cooking where beautiful peanut brittle decorates their page. Salty peanuts paired with sweet sugar brittle reminds me of candy making days with my mother. One year we stirred multiple batches of brittle with my kids, but a little mishap occurred leaving me with several burned fingers. That's why I never use a heavy bottom pot with a handle...I'm just saying.

   While The Comfort of Cooking's recipe is similar, I can't help share my family's own version passed to me and my kids from days on the prairie.

Prairie Peanut Brittle

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup water

1 cup Karo

3 teaspoons butter

2 teaspoons soda

3 cups raw peanuts 

1 teaspoon salt

In a heavy bottom pot, stir together sugar, water and Karo. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to hard crack stage (300 degrees). Add peanuts and cook until golden. Remove from heat before adding butter, salt and soda. Pour mixture onto a buttered baking sheet. Once completely cooked, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

**sometimes I have not been able to find raw peanuts..I have used roasted with great success. If they are salted, simply omit the salt in the recipe. Also, any nut works well: pecan, almond, cashew and pistachio are excellent substitutions.

Now, I am off for a day of sugar and butter..of candies and cups of coffee. Enjoy your weekend!