Simpler Living Blog

A Homemade Valentine: Cast Iron Skillet Peanut Brittle

Lehman's
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I never really cared much for peanut brittle — that is, until an older gentleman introduced me to a recipe handed down to him long ago. Amazing! Crispy and delicious, it melts in your mouth, with nothing sticking to your teeth. And, only 5 ingredients.

Just peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, salt, and baking soda. The real secret though, according to him, is using a cast iron skillet and a wooden spoon.

He gave me the recipe, and for the last thirty years (until I, too, have become an older man) I’ve been producing quite a few batches each Christmas season. This would also make a wonderful handmade Valentine’s Day gift. It’s not difficult, takes no “stretching” of the brittle, and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

A Homemade Valentine: Cast Iron Skillet Peanut Brittle

Author: Lehman's

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar
1 cup Karo syrup
1½ cups raw peanuts
3/4 tsp salt
1½ tsp baking soda

Directions

Measure the baking soda and set aside.
Grease a cookie sheet or pizza pan and have it ready.
Place sugar, Karo syrup, raw peanuts, and salt in a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Cook over high heat (gas) or medium-high heat (electric).
Stir occasionally as the mixture heats.
Stir more frequently as it begins to boil.
Cook until the mixture turns amber, the peanuts begin splitting, and the peanuts smell roasted.
Turn off the heat.
Add the baking soda and stir rapidly until incorporated.
Immediately pour the mixture onto the greased cookie sheet or pizza pan.
Allow it to spread and settle on its own.
Place the skillet in the sink and fill with hot water to dissolve any remaining brittle.
Let the brittle cool completely.
Turn the brittle over and crack into pieces using the handle of a butter knife.
Store in an airtight container or serve immediately.