Cooking Classics
The Technique
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle takes that classic candy combination one step further with a few simple additions. The cooking process is similar to the Bourbon-Pecan Brittle but expect this version to be slightly thicker since no extra liquids are added before pouring out the candy to firm. Learn how to make this delicious confection that’s ideal for sharing with friends by following my detailed tutorial & be certain to look to The Essential Guide To Making Homemade Candy for additional pointers before getting started.
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle
makes about 1 1/3 lb
Some recipes call to use unsalted raw peanuts that are added early in the cooking process. You’ll find others with dry roasted, salted peanuts stirred in closer to the end of cooking. This method is a little more straightforward but be sure to work quickly for the best results.
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup salted, dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp butter
Lightly grease the bottom & the sides of a half sheet pan. Stir together the sugar, the corn syrup & the water in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan until blended. Do not stir again while over the heat. Stir together the soda & the spice in a small ramekin. Toss together the peanuts & the pumpkin seeds in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over Medium-High heat. Once the mixture is bubbly over the surface, place the lid on the pot for 1 minute then remove it. This will help wash down any sugar granules that may be on the side of the pot. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook until the thermometer registers 290 to 295 degrees, about 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sugar will begin to turn amber in color. You may notice the color change only on one side of the pot. Swirl the sugar mixture to even out the color. Once removed from the heat, it will continue to darken & cook to the hard crack candy making stage until the additional ingredients are stirred into the mixture. Add the butter. Stir in the soda & spice mixture. Quickly fold in the peanuts & the pumpkin seeds. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Be extremely careful. Use a wooden spoon with a long handle. Quickly turn the mixture out onto the prepared half sheet pan. Spread the candy to 1/8-inch thickness with a small offset spatula. Cool completely. Break the candy into pieces.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle is a simple candy to prepare as once the sugar, the corn syrup & the water are added to the saucepan, it’s just a matter of waiting for the mixture to reach the proper cooking temperature before removing it from the heat. A few pantry items flavor the confection beautifully. Pumpkin pie spice adds lovely taste notes while the peanuts & the seeds offer texture & crunch.
The Technique
When preparing candy, never use a smaller pot than what is called for in the recipe. The ingredients often times will double or triple from their original volume as they begin to cook. A few key pieces of equipment will be needed in order to complete the task. Read through the recipe instructions before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
The Stirring
If you stir the mixture carefully from the beginning & be certain stray sugar granules do not make their way up the sides of the pot, the mixture will not crystalize during the cooking process.
Lightly grease the bottom & the sides of a half sheet pan. Stir together the sugar, the corn syrup & the water in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan until blended. Do not stir again while over the heat.
No. 2
The Cooking Procedure
Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over Medium-High heat. Once the mixture is bubbly over the surface, place the lid on the pot for 1 minute then remove it. This will help wash down any sugar granules that may be on the side of the pot. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.
2a
Cook until the thermometer registers 290 to 295 degrees, about 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
2b
The sugar will begin to turn amber in color. You may notice the color change only on one side of the pot. Swirl the sugar mixture to even out the color. Once removed from the heat, it will continue to darken & cook to the hard crack candy making stage until the additional ingredients are stirred into the mixture.
No. 3
The Additions
Add the butter. Stir in the soda & spice mixture.
3a
Quickly fold in the peanuts & the pumpkin seeds. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Be extremely careful. Use a wooden spoon with a long handle. Do not look directly into the pot when doing so & stir the mixture constantly to smooth it out. The baking soda will turn the mixture to a more cloudy appearance & its’ purpose is to add holes throughout to make the candy easier to eat.
No. 4
The Pouring & The Cooling
Quickly turn the mixture out onto the prepared half sheet pan. Spread the candy to 1/8-inch thickness with a small offset spatula.
No. 5
The Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle
Cool completely. Break the candy into pieces.
No. 6
The Clean Up
Candy making is sticky business. Fill the saucepan with water & place it back on the stove eye. Submerge any utensils used & bring the water to a boil. Any remaining sugar syrup will disintegrate during the process.
The Tune
“Sweet, Sweet Baby” Aretha Franklin
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