Years ago, my Great Aunt Sibbie passed along my Great Aunt Ruth’s peanut brittle recipe. The handwritten gem takes concentration to follow, but it’s never failed me.
Step 1: In a large saucepan mix 3 c sugar, 1 c light Karo syrup, and 1 c water. Bring to a boil and heat to hard crack stage –without stirring!! This takes awhile–probably 20-30 minutes. I set my burner to medium high and try to be patient.
Step 2: Stir in one pound raw peanuts and one stuck of butter. (I use salted.).
Let this mixture cook for about 5 minutes until the nuts start to crack (you’ll hear them popping).
Step 3: Mix together 1 T baking soda and about 2 t vanilla (should be about the consistency of Elmer’s glue). Stir this into the pot. Be forewarned–this will bubble up and foam like crazy!
Step 4: Immediately pour into a greased 11×16 cookie sheet and let cool.
Step 5: Break into pieces and enjoy!