Almond Brittle

Happy Leap Year Day!!

2.29.2020

I don't know a single soul born on a leap day, but just in case some of you were,

Happy Birthday, Leaplings!

And hey, if you'd like to celebrate your very rare and special day with a sweet treat, how about trying some of my yummy Almond Brittle?!

It's crunchy, buttery, and just downright deee-licious!

When I saw Recipe Girl's Almond Brittle made with slivered almonds, I knew I had to make some!

Any time I have a chance to try some good old fashioned homemade candy...count me in!

I made good use my super yummy Peanut Brittle Recipe as the base and just switched out the peanuts for the almonds. Then I went a little nutso and added an extra cup of almonds to use a total of three! 😛

Y'all! This is addicting and I think you're going to like it!

My hunky hubby sure does!

 The ingredients I used: slivered almonds, butter, sugar, corn syrup, water, baking soda (make sure it's fresh), and vanilla.

You will also need a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Place pan in a 200 degree F oven to warm while making candy.

 Couldn't you just dive right into this bowl of crunchy almond heaven!?

To make this delicious brittle, in a heavy bottomed 4 quart pot, combine sugar, salt, corn syrup, and water. Set heat to medium and stir mixture constantly.

Attach candy thermometer and continue stirring until it reaches 250 degrees F. Add almonds and butter and continue cooking and stirring until candy reaches 305 degrees F. 

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda combining well. Watch out for some fun bubbling!

Pour mixture out onto heated baking sheet. Use a fork to spread candy being careful not to touch this really hot sugar!

Oh my brittle goodness!!

Let candy cool.

Can you stand it?!

I usually let my candy set just enough to harden before I break it up into pieces because nothing beats a still warm piece of sweet brittle!

  One more shot to make you want some! Ok! Now here is the recipe!

Slivered Almond Brittle Recipe

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt 

12 ounces (3 cups) slivered almonds

3 Tablespoons salted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (make sure it's fresh)

Place a parchment lined baking sheet into a 200 degree F oven to warm while preparing candy.

In a heavy bottomed 4 quart saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn syrup, and water. Attach candy thermometer and stir continuously until candy reaches 250 degrees F. Add almonds and butter continuing to stir until candy reaches 305 degrees F.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla to incorporate well.

Pour candy out onto warmed parchment lined baking sheet. Use a fork (or two) to spread the brittle.

Now all you have to do is wait until candy sets so you can break it up into pieces.

I L💗VE it warm!!

Thanks for stopping by!

'til we sweet again, Karen 💗

Peach Cake

So I wanted to make a Peach Cake.

I based this recipe on my favorite Strawberry cake recipe and just switched out the fruit and jello flavors. I will post my Strawberry Cake soon!

This Peach Cake is really yummy and moist with nice chunks of peaches throughout. It is topped with a sweet, peach filled frosting. 

It does not have that super peachy flavor I was expecting but still good!

Hunky Hubby loves it!😋

 Oh yeah!

For the cake you will need:

White Cake Mix

Frozen Sliced Peaches

Peach Jello

Eggs

Oil

Water

Vanilla Extract

 Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees in 13x9 (greased and floured) pan for 35 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in center.

Place cake on rack to cool.

 For the frosting you will need:

Confectioner's Sugar

Sliced Frozen Peaches

Butter

Vanilla Extract

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix on medium speed until fluffy. (3-5 minutes) 

 Frost cooled cake.

Peach Cake Recipe

               1 box white cake mix

               4 large eggs

               1 box (3 ounces) peach jello

               1 cup sliced frozen peaches (thawed)

               3/4 cup oil

               3/4 cup water

               1 teaspoon vanilla extract

               Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

               Grease and flour 13x9 pan.

               In mixer, combine all ingredients and mix

               on medium speed for 2 minutes.

               Bake for 35 minutes or until cake springs 

               back when lightly touched in the center.

               Cool on baking rack.

      Peach Frosting Recipe

               1 stick butter (softened)

               4 cups confectioners sugar (more as

               needed)         

               1 cup sliced frozen peaches (thawed)

               1 teaspoon vanilla extract

               Combine all ingredients and mix on

               medium until fluffy. (3-5 minutes)

               Frost cooled cake.

Enjoy every bite!

Thanks for stopping by!

'til we sweet again, Karen 💗

Marshmallows for Valentine's Day

💗HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!💗

It's going to be a sweet one!

My Valentine is taking me on a unique and fun dinner date! We'll leave out early this morning to drive up to North Carolina. We'll be dining in a restaurant that has been converted from a theater and reaches as far back as the 1920s! Although its theater days have long ago passed, diners today enjoy watching old black and white silent movies on the still hanging screen!

I. Can't. Wait. 

But before I go I want to share with you my homemade marshmallows that I've cut into sweet shapes with Valentine cookie cutters.

I mean, who wouldn't want LOVE letters for Valentine's Day?!

I purchased my cutters at Walmart.

My ingredients include, juice from a jar of maraschino cherries, light corn syrup, egg whites, vanilla and almond extract, granulated sugar, water, and unflavored gelatin.

The cherry is not very pronounced in the marshmallows but does add a nice flavor. If you don't care for cherry, just sub out water instead.

1.In a small bowl with the cherry juice, stir in the unflavored gelatin and set aside.

2. In a 4 quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water.

3. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Attach candy thermometer and continue cooking without stirring until temperature reaches soft ball stage. I cooked mine to 238 degrees.

4. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin mixture.

1. In a mixer with wire whisk attached, beat egg whites till stiff peaks form.

2. With mixer on low, slowly pour in hot candy mixture.

3. Turn mixer up to high speed and mix candy for 9 minutes.

4. Pour marshmallow mixture into a sheet pan prepared with non-stick spray.

 Let stand at room temp till set. About 4-5 hours.

With cookie cutters sprayed liberally with non-stick spray, cut out marshmallow shapes. Coat candies completely with powdered sugar.

Now you can share the L-O-V-E!

Cherry and Almond Flavored Marshmallows

2 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold maraschino cherry juice

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

2 large egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

Sprinkle gelatin over a small bowl filled with the cold cherry juice. Stir and set aside.

Lightly spray baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside. 

In a heavy bottomed 4 quart saucepan, stir together sugar, salt, corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Attach candy thermometer making sure it doesn't touch bottom of pan and continue cooking without stirring until candy reaches soft ball stage. Mine was ready at 238 degrees. Remove from heat, stir in gelatin mixture and set aside.

In mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. With mixer on low speed carefully pour in hot sugar mixture, turn mixer on high speed and mix for 9 minutes, adding flavorings about halfway through.

Pour marshmallow candy into prepared baking sheet. Let stand at room temp until set. (about 4-5 hours)

Now you can cut the marshmallows into shapes with your cookie cutters! Just spray each cutter liberally with non-stick spray, dab off excess and press through candy. Drop marshmallows into a bowl filled with powdered sugar to coat completely.

Thanks for stopping by!
'til we sweet again, Karen 💗