1. Heat the corn syrup, water and sugar in a saucepan until melted, stirring constantly.
2. Heat the mixture to 300 degrees so it will reach the hard crack stage.
3. Ensure you stir in the baking soda thoroughly to "puff" the brittle up.
4. Spread the brittle onto greased baking pans, "pulling" it with forks to the desired thickness.
5. Let the brittle cool for 30 to 60 minutes before breaking it into pieces.

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• by Denise Ryan

• If you crave the delectable combination of salty and sweet, peanut brittle is the ideal candy for you. Create this crunchy blend of peanuts and caramelized sugar to enjoy as a satisfying snack.Kitchen Hints and Tips: Caramelized Sugar You can also wrap batches in colorful cellophane to hand out as inexpensive holiday gifts.

• Ingredients
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups raw peanuts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Equipment
• Stove or microwave
• Heavy saucepan or microwaveable dish
• Candy thermometer
• spatula
• 2 10 x 15 inch baking pansOrganic Kingdom: Baking Pans
• Forks
• NOTE: If using the microwave method, halve the ingredients for easier manageability.

• Although individual recipes may differ on the order in which you add the ingredients, following are basic instructions to make 1 1/2 pounds of peanut brittle.

• Bring all of these ingredients and tools to the stove since the cooking process goes rather quickly once the sugar has melted.

1. Heat sugar, corn syrup and water in saucepan until the sugar dissolves and the temperature reaches 305 degrees.YouTube Video: Making Fresh Peanut Brittle (Time: 2:06)
2. Add the butter, stirring until melted.Betty Crocker: Peanut Brittle
3. Stir in the salt and peanuts with a spatula, distributing them evenly.The Nut Factory: Peanut Brittle
4. Take the pan off the heat and quickly add the baking soda, stirring until it's well incorporated.All Recipes: Mom's Best Peanut Brittle
5. Press the mixture onto greased baking pans with a spatula.Recipe Goldmine: Peanut Brittle
   • -Use forks to stretch the brittle before it cools if you want it thinner and crispier.Baking911: Candy Brittle
6. Let the brittle cool for up to one hour before breaking it into pieces.Family Fun: Near Instant Peanut Brittle
7. Store cooled peanut brittle in an airtight container to keep it from sticking.Kitchen Link: Barb's Peanut Brittle
   • YouTube Video: Make Fresh Peanut Brittle (Time: 2:06)

• Using your microwave is a fast and easy way to make this traditional treat.

1. Grease the baking sheet.Epicurious: Microwave Peanut Brittle
2. Combine 1 cup peanuts, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl.Old Recipe Book: Microwave Peanut Brittle
3. Microwave on high for 6 to 7 minutes, until mixture is bubbly.All Recipes: Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle
4. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter.Peanut Van: Microwave Peanut Brittle
5. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes.Peanut Van: phttp://peanutvan.com.au/recipe22.htm Microwave Peanut Brittle]
   • -Check to see if the mixture has reached 300 degrees.Family Fun: Near Instant Peanut Brittle
6. Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda until mixture is foamy.All Recipes: Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle
   • -The more you stir, the darker the finished peanut brittle will be.HowToDoThings.com: How to Make Holiday Candy
7. Spread the mixture onto the greased baking sheet.
8. Let cool completely.
9. Break the brittle into pieces once the mixture has cooled.About.com: Candy's Microwave Peanut Brittle

• Practice with your cooking techniques and timing to find the best-tasting blend. These tips should ease the process.

1. Ensure you cook the brittle to the hard crack stage so it won't be too soft or overcooked.Exploratorium: The Science of Candy Hard Crack Stage
2. Consider warming the peanuts before adding them to the mixture so they won't reduce the sugar temperature.Pastry Sampler: Pastry Questions and Answers
3. Grease your baking sheet before you start mixing the peanut brittle so you can pour the brittle mixture onto it as soon as it's ready.About.com: Candy's Microwave Peanut Brittle

• Play around with a variety of ingredients to create crunchy peanut brittle with a variety of sweet, spicy and savory taste sensations.

1. Coat the peanuts in cayenne and cinnamon for peanut brittle with added kick.Food Network: Alton Brown's Peanut Brittle Recipe
2. Add vanilla bean and chocolate for a deluxe touch.Food Network: Jacques Torres' Peanut Brittle Recipe
3. Add peanut butter for a nuttier flavor.Ultimate Christmas Page: Peanut Butter Brittle
4. Substitute margarine for butter if you want a version with less cholesterol.Fudge Mail: Peanut Brittle

• Recipe Tips: Peanut Brittle Recipes
• Recipezaar: Ann's Crunchy Peanut Brittle
• Epicurious: Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle
• Andrea's Recipes: Mom's Peanut Brittle
• NYMag.com: Peanut Brittle
•