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This is one of those things that really is easier with a candy thermometer. You can find them under $5 and it's so worth it. I tried to guess and use the cold water test, but burned my precious WL in the process. Taking it right up to the hard-crack stage is perfect - that is 302-303 degrees. It is darker than the Nature Sweet was when I made the brittle with that - so the eye test doesn't work with Whey Low. I cooked it the second time to 300 degrees because it started to smoke, and the brittle snapped when I broke it, but became chewy in the mouth. Very good...but not perfect.
Golden brown - (actually a little darker than it shows up on the photo), 303-304 degrees (RIGHT on the hard crack line of my thermometer)...FABULOUS!
1 stick of real butter
1 cup Whey Low Granular (or Maltitol – see note**) OR sugar, if you prefer
1 1/3 cups roasted, salted peanuts OR other roasted, salted nuts
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
.
Butter a cookie sheet or lightly coat with vegetable cooking spray and set aside. Have your vanilla and peanuts ready to add.
In a small saucepan melt the butter and WL Granular over medium heat. (I highly recommend using a candy thermometer…attach it to the side of the pan so it is IN the liquid, but not touching the bottom of the pan. This will give you a false reading.)
Stirring occasionally, allow to come to a boil. Boil until the temperature reaches 302-303 degrees or the Hard Crack stage. This took about 5-6 minutes after coming to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat and, working quickly, add in the vanilla (it will spit and sputter – be careful!) and the peanuts. Pour onto the prepared pan and spread the nuts evenly. Allow to cool until hardened. Break into shards and store in an airtight container.
Option: Dip the shards halfway into melted chocolate and let harden on waxed paper.
Stats: Nevermind…! Have two or three pieces as a treat over the Holidays. You’ll live.
**When making this with maltitol (Nature Sweet brand was what I used) I didn’t use a thermometer, but cooked it to be slightly darker than the roasted peanuts I was using. It was NOT as dark as I had to get it with the Whey Low, and I’m not sure what the temp was. I did use the water test – drizzle a couple drops into ice water and it should instantly turn hard and ‘crack-able’.