The Creative Place

A couple more sweet snacks this week :) Quick and easy to make :) Enjoy!

Peanut Brittle
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups peanuts
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Cover and cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Add peanuts, cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches the hard-crack stage (300 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Stir in butter, vanilla, soda and salt. Working quickly, pour mixture into a buttered jelly-roll pan; spread thinly. Let cool until firm; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2lbs.

Caramel Popcorn
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 quarts plain popcorn, popped

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring; remove from heat. Add baking soda and vanilla, mix well. Place popcorn in large bowl. Pour mixture over popcorn, stirring to coat well. Spread popcorn on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir; bake for 15 more minutes. Cool; store in an airtight container. Serves 15-20.