Holiday peanut brittle

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Traditional Peanut Brittle

A traditional holiday classic

2 cups raw  peanuts

3 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. butter

2 tsp. baking soda

Heat and stir sugar, syrup and water in a heavy  saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Add salt. Cook over medium heat to soft ball stage (234 degress). Add peanuts. Cook to hard crack stage, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Quickly, stir in butter and soda. Beat to a froth for a few seconds. Pour at once onto 2 well-buttered pans, spreading with spatula. If desired, cool slightly and pull with forks to stretch thin. Break up when cold.

Makes about 1-1/2 pounds of peanut brittle.