Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

A family favorite at our house, peanut brittle is easy to make, if you have a candy thermometer.  Oh so addictive- you can't eat just one piece! 

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

2 1/2 cups salted peanuts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

Measure out nuts, salt, butter and soda and lightly spray 2 cookie pans before starting.

Heat and stir sugar, syrup and 1 cup water in heavy 3 quart saucepan till sugar dissolves. ( I use a stockpot to be sure it doesn't boil over.) Cook over medium heat to soft ball stage (234 on thermometer).  Add nuts and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Cook to hard crack stage (305) stirring often so it doesn't burn. (The color will darken to a deep amber brown.)  Remove from heat, quickly stir in butter and soda. Work fast! Mixture will lighten and change texture. Pour immediately into 2 sprayed cookie/sheet pans. Spread quickly with spoon.  
Break up when it hardens and cools- 1/2 hour or so. Makes about 1 1/2 lbs.