Poppystamps Tag Hop and Peanut Brittle Recipe

I'm excited to share the news.  Today is the Poppystamps Tag Hop and I'm very happy to share my little tags....

I like making little gift bags, and my favorite candy to place inside is peanut brittle.  I don't think this bag will make it to Christmas.  One Mr. has been asking when I'll be done taking the photo! This bag is so easy to create and it's always nice to have a few around for those unexpected guests that arrive.

I've been making this peanut brittle for 40 years and I've never made a bad batch.  I'd love sharing the recipe with you.  A candy making hint....Always have all the ingredients ready.  Never double the batch.  Always use an accurate thermometer and cook to the exact temperature.  If you do this, you'll have perfect candy....

Mary Mac's Peanut Brittle

The key to the brittleness is to spread the candy mixture thinly.  Don't cheat on heat.  You must cook to 240 degrees prior to adding the peanuts and butter...and 300 degrees before removing from heat.  Follow the rules and you'll have perfect peanut brittle.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter
1 pound salted peanuts (I use Planters Cocktail Peanuts)

Butter 2 cookie sheets and put them into a warm oven.  Mix the baking soda, water together and set aside.  In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, Combine: 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup corn syrup.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.  Stir into the mixture 3 tablespoons butter and 1 pound of peanuts.  Continue cooking and stir constantly to 300 degrees.  Note:  at this stage it can burn quickly, so keep stirring.  Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda mixture and the vanilla.  Pour onto the two buttered cookie sheets and spread to no thicker than 1/4 inch.  Cool and break candy into pieces.  Store in air tight container. 

I don't know where this recipe originally came from.  I think maybe it was one of the many recipes my mom clipped from a magazine or newspaper and then re-wrote.

I hope you give this a try, and if you do, please let me know how it turned out.  I hope you will be pleased.

I have another tag to share, I made this one to add to my husband's Christmas gift.  I may make a few more of these.  It's an easy one to make.  Note, I cut both red and the white base together.  To get the tail, I used the word Merry as my layout guide.  I made a light mark about 1/2 inch from the bottom and used the "R" as my center point.  Then I rounded the corners.... a little glitter and some ribbon and it's done.

Because both sides will be visible I wanted the back to look finished.

I hope you have time to hop along with the Poppystamps Design Team.  You can follow us here:

Poppystamps Blog

Yvonne Dunlop

Chunyuan Wu

Diane Barney

Ira Huberts

Jean Manis

Jeanne Jachna

Kimberly Coleman

Lezlye Lauterbach

Mary McMillan

Michele Henderson

Patty Tanuz

Rudlis / Irena Kowalczyk

Sherry Eckblad

Sherry Hester

Well, I think it's time for me to head over and see what the girls have created.  There just might be some prizes, you can read all about it on the Poppystamps Blog page.

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner?  I hope everyone is enjoying the season and not stressing too much!

Wishing you a calm and crafty week!
Mary

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