Homemade Peanut Brittle

It’s Christmas Eve and you want to make something sweet and a little different. Enter homemade peanut brittle. This confection, a perfect balance of sweet and salty, is well-loved and always appreciated on the farm. It’s simple to make, but does take some planning because you have to be present to keep the sugar from burning, and the steps move fast. Measure and prep everything before you start.

Pro tip: Remove all distractions (and helpers) from the cooking area for this one. Boiling sugar is no joke. Read through the method before cooking. This recipe involves the microwave and various stopping/starting points.

Making peanut brittle is both an art and a science, requiring precision and care. The ingredients are humble, yet their combination under the right conditions creates a result that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Begin by preparing your workspace, ensuring your cookie sheet is greased and set aside. .
2. In a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugar and corn syrup, the base of our brittle, stirring to blend them thoroughly.
3. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high for 2 minutes, stir, then heat for 2 more minutes.
4. Add the peanuts. Heat for an additional 3 1/2 minutes.
5. Add the butter and vanilla extract and heat for 1 1/2 minutes
6. Stir in baking soda, which reacts to create a light, foamy texture. Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet, and carefully tip the cookie sheet to spread the candy thinly. Remember, it doesn’t have to be neat. You are going to break it into pieces.
7. Once cooled, the brittle can be broken into pieces and stored in an airtight container, preserving its crispness.

This homemade peanut brittle, with its crisp texture and rich flavor, is a testament to the holiday spirit—a reminder of the care we take in preparing something special for those we love. As you share this treat with family and friends, may it bring you together in celebration and reflection.

May your Christmas Eve be filled with serenity and joy, and may the simple act of making peanut brittle enrich your holiday traditions. Merry Christmas.