I’m a Christmas lover. Our house is decorated in sparkle and lights and we’ve got a beautifully scented eucalyptus wreath hanging on the inside of our front door. In the evenings, I burn my favorite fir-scented candle and listen to Christmas records while sipping on rum cocktails. And as you probably guessed, I love giving away homemade candy & baked goods to friends and family.
This year, my baking has taken a bit of a back seat since I’ve been so busy with work. So the past few days I’ve been playing catch-up and have whipped up old favorites like rum balls, candy cane bark, almond bark and fudge. But I decided that I needed something new in the mix and decided on peanut brittle. The recipe is adapted from Serious Eats and it’s super quick to make (the whole shebang can be done in about 20 minutes!) so it’s perfect for last-minute gifting. No candy thermometer or complex ingredients required. Don’t have peanuts? Use pumpkin seeds, cashews, or pistachio nuts instead. Wrapped in cellophane and tied with candy-cane coloured twine, it makes a very thoughtful gift.
Enjoy and happy holidays!!
last-minute peanut brittle
(adapted from Serious Eats)
2 c sugar
8 T unsalted butter
1/3 c light corn syrup
1/2 t baking soda
1 T kosher salt
1 1/2 c salted peanutsLine a baking sheet with a non-stick silpat mat, or lightly grease the baking sheet. Set aside.
In a large pot set on high heat, combine the sugar, butter and corn syrup along with a 1/2 cup of water. Let boil away for 10 minutes without stirring until the mixture turns into a lovely amber shade.
Remove from heat and add in baking soda and salt and fold in peanuts with a wooden spoon. Quickly pour mixture onto prepared tray and spread the candy out evenly. Let cool and then break into pieces.
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I just made this recipe today in my tradition of making it every year. I wanted you to know that it is my favorite treat to make at the holidays and everyone goes crazy for it. Thank you so much for a winner of a recipe!