Brazilian Homemade Peanut Brittle (Pé de Moleque)

Ingredients

• 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 2 1/2 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts (whole and/or halved)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. 1

   Grease the bottom of a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Set aside.

2. 2

   Place the butter, sugar, salt, and light corn syrup in a large non-stick saucepan. Cook over medium heat (large burner), stirring slowly and constantly with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes.

3. 3

   As soon as the butter is completely melted and the mixture reaches a pale yellow color, add the peanuts and reduce the heat to medium-low.

4. 4

   Cook for 13-15 minutes, stirring constantly or until caramel has thickened and peanuts stick onto each other -- as opposed to falling immediately off the lifted wooden spoon.

5. 5

   Remove mixture from heat and stir in both the vanilla and baking soda until obtaining a homogeneous mixture. Pour the mixture immediately onto the greased baking sheet.

6. 6

   Place a sheet of parchment paper on top and spread the brittle thin using a rolling pin. Be careful to not get burned. Let the peanut brittle cool completely at room temperature before breaking into 2-inch pieces with your hands. Enjoy!