TEXAS PEANUT PATTIES

Texas Peanut Patties image

Provided by Janice Bartholome

Categories Nuts

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 c granulated sugar
2/3 c white karo syrup
1 c half and half
2 tsp butter
2 c raw red peanuts with the skins on
1 pinch salt
2-3 drops of red food coloring

Steps:

1. Combine the first five ingredients in a heavy saucepan or cast-iron skillet. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and bring to a soft-ball stage (A soft ball forms when you drop a little into a bowl of cold water). Or use a candy thermometer if your mama didn't teach you how to do this. The thermometer will tell you what temperature a "soft-ball" is. I don't know! NOTE: The 45-minute cook-time listed is approximate. It might take more or less time for your mixture to reach the soft-ball stage. Don't go by a clock, go by the temperature of the candy.
3. Remove from heat. Add red food coloring and salt.
4. Stir until mixture begins to thicken and loses its "shine." (You can let it cool a few minutes before you start stirring...otherwise you might need someone to help you stir!)
5. Drop by spoonfuls about 1 inch apart on buttered aluminum foil. (Or spread in an 8x8" buttered cake dish and cut into squares after it hardens.)To make them more like the original, you can butter a "muffin top" pan and fill the holes with the candy mixture. This will give you 10-12 thick, round patties that are similar to the originals.
6. If you make it without the red food coloring and/or the red-skinned peanuts, it will taste the same. It just won't look like the original. (To ME they don't taste as good, but I'm sure it's just the power of suggestion! I don't think red peanuts really taste much different than regular ones.)