Ok, so I am a firm believer that if you can read, you can cook. But, making peanut brittle breaks that rule. It is something that I tell by look and smell. I will do my best to describe that here...but no guarantees. It really is not that hard as long as your paying attention to what is going on in the pot. If you get stuck, call me.**Note**This recipe is tripled from the original because my mom figured out that tripled fits perfectly on the marble slab. You can cut it into thirds to make a "single" batch. But my theory is, if I am making it, I might as well make plenty!**
3 cups sugar
3 cups corn syrup
1 1/2 cup water
4 cups peanuts (I usually use less than that, my mom uses more...Tommy and I like the brittle without the peanuts, so if I use between 3-4 cups of peanuts, it leaves lots of brittle on the edges to break off and enjoy!)
1 1/2 stick LAND O LAKES MARGARINE (any other brand has too much water and doesn't work!! Trust me!!)
3 tsp baking soda
***To pour out the peanut brittle, use 2 or 3 cookie sheets (WELL greased). I use a marble slab. It works wonderfully.****
Put corn syrup, sugar and water in pan. Over medium high heat, cook until it "spins a thread." See picture to help you. The first picture is not a thread, the second one is. The "thread" will drip, then sort of "fly away" when it is ready.
See the difference in the two? Once it has spun a thread, add the peanuts.
Now, this is the part I can't really describe in words. Let the peanuts cook until the liquid has turned brown and you can smell it. I know that really doesn't make sense, but there comes a point when it starts to give off a terrific smell. Once that happens, it is ready for the LAND O LAKES MARGARINE and baking soda.
Make sure your cookie sheets are well oiled before you add margarine and baking soda. Once you add them, you will stir like crazy to melt the margarine and incorporate the baking soda. Then quickly pour out onto cookie sheets and spread, fast!! It will harden very quickly, so it's a mad rush to get it spread before it hardens. WORD OF CAUTION...THE BRITTLE IS HOT! IF IT MAKES CONTACT WITH SKIN, IT HURTS!!!!!
Just as the peanuts are added.
Ready for margarine and baking soda.
Margarine and baking soda added. Stirring like crazy to blend it before it cools!
Poured out onto slab. Let cool, then break into pieces and store in ziploc bags.
so who was taking the pictures while you stirred like mad??? cause i'm sure you can't do both!
A camera with a timer on a tripod work wonderfully! No one else in the family will use the camera...so it's all up to me!