Peanut Brittle Is the Way To A Man's Heart...At Least Mine!!

Apparently I've been promising my husband some Peanut Brittle since Christmas In July and his patience were about gone. The peanuts have been sitting patiently on the pantry shelf, but becuase it get so hot making peanut brittle, the thought during the middle of summer is not very pleasing. 

But today was the day and less then 20minutes later and it's done and off the Christmas must have check list. At least his "personal batch" that is. I'll probably make him one more batch and a batch for our son Chris. 


This recipe was already in the Nemnich family when I married my husband. So I've just been handed over the recipe and told to "make this one". I'm not a huge peanut fan or candy fan, but this is good stuff.

Peanut Brittle
1 cup of white/light karo syrup
1 cup sugar
2 TBSP butter
1 tsp soda
2 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, Karo and butter in heavy, large, deep skillet or use a large soup pot. Using a non stick pan is what I prefer.  Add butter to melt. Add peanuts and stir on medium, high heat until it begins to brown and turn into an Amber color.

Once it's reached the right color, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. This will add some air and make the mixture fluffy. 

Pour and spread onto a buttered or butter sprayed cookie sheet. Let cool and break into pieces. 

What I'm using is my new Silpat from Martha Stewart, which you can buy at Macy's. When I seen her make cashew brittle last month and use this new tool, I knew I had to have one. What I didn't know, was that my cat needed to eat some too! I had left it on my desk, when I got home from the store for a few days and when I went to wash it and use it, I noticed the cat had chewed the corner and edges of the mat. Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper!

On a personal note, I have fond memories of making and boxing up peanut brittle for my grandfather when I was a teen and young adult. I wasn't always able to send much, but I would always send at least some peanut brittle. It was one of his favorites. 

The batch below is a double batch and will require two cookie sheets for spreading. I double patch fits into one of the larger tin containers.