Sunday, December 1, 2013

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:


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



40 comments:

  1. Morning Mary . . . fabulous tags and little bags of lusciousness!

    Hugs
    Sarn x

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a delightfully, creative lady!! Seems you put a lot of love into what you do. Merry Christmas ~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love both ideas and thank you for the recipe...love peanut brittle.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh that peanut brittle looks yummy! Cute tag.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely tag. Thanks for sharing and for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the recipe and bag & tag ideas! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great looking tag and your gift bag looks too scrummy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Mary! I love your tag!! And the peanut brittle recipe sounds wonderful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. What great timing as I was just going to go and hunt for a peanut brittle recipe to make for my dad, as it is his favorite. And the fact that you say it has never failed ... a keeper recipe for sure. Thanks so much for sharing both the recipe and lovely tag with us!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your projects are AWESOME!! I wish I could cook, because your peanut brittle recipe sounds fun!! Great inspiration!! Thank you!!

    Judy
    lifesabeach32940@cfl.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm with the Mr! That sounds so yummy - and your tags are candy for my eyes! YYYUUUUUMMMMMM!! The sparkly silver shimmer is so elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your tags are lovely! How sweet of you to share your recipe too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the hanging ornament! Your tags are wonderful, and thanks for sharing your recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wonderful packaging and tags. Love how you continued the design on the bag as well. Great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  15. awww thanks for the recipe!!! all looks wonderful Mary!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. very nice projects !! thanks for sharing!! blessings !!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Both proyects are beautiful.. and thanks for the recipe... yummy yummy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Treat bags are the best! Beautiful tag, and thank you for sharing the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. beautiful tag, thanks for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love good ideas and this one is GREAT! I am going to try this neat little package tag idea. It looks so festive and professional!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love that it is double-sided.......looks finished. Very pretty.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great tag! And thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tags and a recipe--how cool is that! Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ooh thanks for the peanut brittle recipe. The tags cute too LOL

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very pretty, the doble side looks so great ¡¡

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the great recipe and the tip about not doubling the recipe - made that mistake before. I love the tag for your husband's gift - but I hope he doesn't read your blog as it might crush his belief in Santa.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sweet tags....like the little ornament tag on goodie bag.

    ReplyDelete
  28. It is a complete package! I like your tags, the recipe, oh well, everything! Greetings!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love this package, is amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great tags and packaging for the peanut brittle. Thanks for the recipe !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great tag! Love your beautiful packaging as well! These ornaments are fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a great idea with the ornament die. Really nice tag. And thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yum! Too bad peanut brittle doesn't come without the peanuts.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful tag! Love that pretty ornament and pine sprig! Great presentation for your brittle too.... very festive!

    ReplyDelete
  35. The tag is great. I love the ornament with the star in it. The bag is cute and a great idea for a little gift. The ornament you put on that bag is really pretty. Thanks for sharing your receipe. Sounds so good.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mary, Just wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year, and was enjoying your pretty tags. Peanut brittle sounds yummy. TFS the recipe. I have really enjoyed your participation on the Poppy DT, even though I may not always leave a comment. Hugs & looking forward to your beautiful creations throughout 2014!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for spending time visiting my blog. And thank you even more for your comments. I LOVE reading each and every one of them. Happy creating!