Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle is a wonderful old fashion sweet, which is very popular throughout America. Peanut brittle consists of lots of peanuts set in caramelised sugar, although you can get brittle with almonds, pecans or any type of nuts. Nuts, particularly peanuts go fabulously well with caramel and toffee. They add a delicious flavour and nutty texture to desserts and sweets.

Peanut brittle is very easy and quick to make the main ingredients are sugar and nuts. Brittle last a long time so you can make a large batch and stock up, ready for when you want something a little naughtily and very sweet. Children love peanut brittle, it is extremely sweet and the texture is fabulous, the caramel is brittle while the nuts are very crunchy. It is a wonderful thing to have in your kitchen for when your children’s friends or your friends come round.

Ingredients

• 350g granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 6 tbsp golden syrup
• 140ml water
• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 225g unsalted peanuts or almonds, chopped

Method

1. Grease a square cake tin.
2. Dissolve the brown sugar, granulated sugar and golden syrup in water over a low heat in a large non-stick saucepan.
3. Add the butter and bring to the boil, simmer until temperature reaches 120C on a sugar thermometer.
4. Add the bicarbonate of soda and nuts carefully, the sugar may spit and can burn.
5. Spoon mix into tin, be careful as the sugar is very hot and can burn.
6. When it is nearly set mark out lines with a knife, so you can break it into pieces after it has completely cooled.