Christmas is coming, as I if I needed to tell you, since I'm sure you've seen Christmas items down every isle, and heard the Christmas carols played in almost every store. I decided to start some of my Christmas cookie and candy recipes that are new to me. I haven't made very many candy items before, maybe fudge and caramels, peanut butter balls, but that's not much compared to all the candies out there. So I wanted to try them out before I'm making them for my cookie trays next month. I glanced around my pantry baking shelf and found I had all the ingredients for Mixed Nut Brittle. I've never made peanut brittle, but this recipe seemed so simple that I wanted to give it a try.
Verdict? SOOOO GOOD!! It was so easy and tastes so good, I wonder why I've never tried to make brittle before! The hardest part is cleaning the bowl and forks that I used to make the brittle, because as soon as the sugar mixture begins to cool, its hardens. So be prepared to soak your dishes a bit.
Mixed Nut Brittle
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup of salted mixed nuts
1 T. butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. baking soda
Grease a small baking sheet (I used a square 8"x8"); set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl or glass measuring cup, combine sugar and corn syrup.
Microwave mixture, uncovered, on high for 5 minutes; stirring twice.
Stir in nuts and butter.
Microwave mixture, uncovered on high for 1-2 minutes more, or just until mixture turns golden
(mixture will continue to cook and become more golden when removed from the microwave)
Stir in the vanilla and baking soda.
Immediately pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet.
Use two forks to lift and pull candy into a thin sheet as it cool (this helps make the brittle crisp)
Cool completely. Break up into pieces.
The mixture will bubble and foam a bit when you add the butter and then again when you add the baking soda. This is completely normal! The only problem with this recipe: Doesn't make enough!! Especially when you are going to give some of it away!
