Sunday, December 21, 2008

Peanut Brittle From New York Magazine

My father has to be the most difficult person to give a gift to.

He has admitted, on his own accord, to having no hobbies - he works too much to really have a hobby. He loves to go with my Mom and perhaps a few friends to Tunkwa Lake for a few days of fishing, he also enjoys a bit of golf, and a beer or two on his days off - but any gifts I could purchase that have to do with those activities seem so...unpersonable.

That's when I remembered (and I hope I remembered correctly!) that he likes peanut brittle.


Peanut Brittle For My Dad

vegetable oil spray

2 cups sugar

4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tbsp salt

12 ounces dry roasted, salted peanuts (do not chop)


Spray a baking sheet lightly with vegetable oil. Add the sugar, butter, corn syrup and 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp water to a large saucepan, and stir together until all of the sugar is wet.
Cook over high heat until the mixture turns a medium golden.

Immediately remove from the heat, and carefully whisk in the baking soda followed by the salt (taking care, as the caramel will rise in the pan and bubble).


Switch to a wooden or metal spoon, and fold in the peanuts. Quickly pour the mixture onto the sheet pan, and spread it out over the pan using the back of the spoon before it starts to harden (it may not cover the whole pan).


Once the brittle is completely cool, break it into bite sized pieces with a blunt object.


Makes 24 chunks.

Share/Save/Bookmark

5 comments:

Chocolate Shavings said...

That looks delicious!

Unknown said...

Oh man, I love peanut brittle. This looks so yummy! I'll have to try it. I have a recipe for peanut brittle but its for the microwave and I always end up burning it.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I can't wait to try this! I love peanut brittle, but have never made it before!

Deanna S. said...

Ohhhhhh, this looks so good! I know my dad loves peanut brittle too, what a great gift idea. I might try it with cashews instead.

Anonymous said...

Peanut brittle always makes me think of the episode of Frasier when Daphne made (bad) peanut brittle for Niles; he commented, "They're like little shards of happiness." Ha! Regardless, I *love* peanut brittle -- I'll have to try this!