I have not made a batch of peanut brittle in a couple of years. I love it but my stomach sadly does not.
It is a fun candy to make, I buy a large bag of peanuts from the Amish grocery store every several years or so. I make it now for one of our friends who also works for us when we need projects done.
He is driving several hours away to pick up an outdoor lift for Larry-he has a spot to put it next to the rock wall that will take him up to the top-and into his new electric chair-made for outdoor use.
So I thought I would surprise our friend when he gets back today, with a batch of peanut brittle his favorite.
The last time I made it in the microwave-I still use a thermometer as only way to know if it gets to 300 degrees F or not. It turned out really good that way
Last week it was a total failure-it would not get up to temperature so that was a toss in the garbage it went.. I could not remember which bowl I used last time so I think I used a bowl too large. .
So I looked around online for another recipe-and perfect he suggested getting a 2 quart Pyrex I found an anchor hocking brand made in the USA Happy dance! good results this time. The other tip I read was to use the instant read thermometer instead of those bulky candy thermometers-why didn't I think of that??? so much easier.
I have a marble slab that Larry rescued from demolition back when he was in his 20's still in Chicago at that time Perfect for candy making I also make my chocolate barks on this marble.
We will be back in the 90's this weekend
Enjoy your weekend
I love peanut brittle, but it's too much work for me!
ReplyDeleteActually since I started using the microwave to make it-goes much faster
DeleteI love peanut brittle
ReplyDeleteme too I have used other nuts too cashews make good brittle
DeleteRaw cashews
DeleteLooks so good! I could make myself sick on this! It was so hot here today! But cooler days ahead. Now to get some rain!
Deletewe are hot and dry here too my stomach doesn't do nuts very well-but I couldn't resist to eat a few pieces-smiles
DeletePeanut brittle is yummy, but some is definitely tastier than others. I've never made it, but its interesting that the marble slab works so well. I guess it cools it down faster? And stay cool. Wow, you have summer again. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteGood morning the older cookbooks always say to pour on to marble. Larry had this big slab that fits on a stainless steel island table we have-repurposed-so I have always used it for candy making.
DeleteI found this online
Insulation
Marble's insulating properties allow it to absorb excess heat from the candy, preventing sugar from crystallizing too quickly.
Temperature control
Marble can stay cool, even if placed in the fridge for a few hours. This is ideal for working with chocolate, which needs to be cooled to achieve the perfect snap.
Heat conduction
Marble's ability to quickly absorb and dissipate heat prevents butter from melting too quickly in pastry dough
The recipe I followed for the microwave said to pour the hot brittle on to aluminum foil-ugh I don't think so haha if one doesn't have marble I would pour onto a buttered cookie sheet instead
summer temps are hanging around here in the ozarks-it will start cooling down this coming week the first frost usually hits around october 16th here which is Larry's birthday
Glad it worked out for you the second time. I have never tried to make candy before, but I do make my grammas fudge. Pretty easy to make and no thermometer needed. Janice
ReplyDeleteMe too the microwave method is nicer than the old fashioned way-faster and I think safer too. I had too big of a bowl the first time. My farm girl grandma made a lot of candies for Christmas so I would help her with it some years. I have a really good fudge recipe-just melt a bunch of ingredients-very creamy but needs to be stored in the freezer. it is a copy cat of Marshall fields famous fudge in chicago-way back when I was young
DeleteLOve to make and EAT peanut brittle !! Although with Hub's teeth he can non longer eat it so i no longer make it unless its as a gift... With that microwave peanut brittle (the only kind i make) i could totally see the bowl making a big difference.. So glad you had success! We are still getting hot... into the 90's but that doesn't happen until mid afternoon .. during the Summer it will be hot at 10am! Mornings are about 60 F sometimes in the high 50's soooooo nice.... I hope your having a good weekend and a lovely Sunday! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, Larry doesn't have teeth anymore do to diabities many years ago he had to have his teeth pulled. he loves cashews so I find raw cashews-and grind them up rather find-and make brittle with them-turns out good and he can eat it could do the same with the raw peanuts.
Deletewe are cooling down this week but still lots of sunshine and really perfect fall weather hugs
Kathy this is something I have never made. I enjoy it but candy making and I don't seem to hit it off (includes the old fashioned fudge as well). Didn't realize that the size of a dish could make a difference. Hmm maybe I will have to give it a try. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE peanut brittle. I haven't made it in years. I'm a recently retired carpet cleaner, and I used to pack it with me as a snack until I cleaned for somebody with a severe peanut allergy...that didn't go so well. But you have inspired me to make it again!
ReplyDeleteawesome!
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