Texas Peanut Patties Recipes

RED PEANUT PATTIES

Steps:

• 1. Place the first four items in a heavy saucepan. Stir to combine.
• 2. Bring to a boil and continue cooking on a low boil, uncovered, for approx one hour until soft ball stage (235-240*), stirring occasionally.
• 3. While cooking, prepare a spot on your counter top with waxed paper to drop candy on.
• 4. At soft ball stage, remove from heat and add margarine/butter stirring until melted.
• 5. Add powdered sugar, sifting if needed, and red coloring. (I use extra for more color)
• 6. Stir to combine well. Keep stirring until it just starts to thicken.
• 7. Quickly drop by spoonfulls onto waxed paper. The nuts should be flat, not in a pile. If candy starts to get too thick, just place pan back on heat to warm slightly.
• 8. Depending on your preference, they can be any size you like. I prefer to eat several that are 2" across. Bobby likes bigger ones. Your choice will always be right.
• 9. ENJOY

PEANUT PATTIES

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, and peanuts. Bring to a slow boil, and stir to blend once heated. Let boil until the mixture reaches a temperature of between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. This may take up to 1 hour.
• Stir in the butter, vanilla and food coloring once the mixture has reached the proper temperature. Spoon out onto waxed paper or parchment paper to form patties. Cool until set.

TEXAS PEANUT PATTIES

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.)

OLD-FASHIONED PEANUT PATTIES

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except peanut butter in large heavy pan.
• Cook until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage.
• Remove from heat and add peanut butter.
• Beat with a wooden spoon until thick and the candy loses it's glossy look.
• Drop by spoonfuls onto buttered foil, buttered foil pans, or buttered muffin tins. Let cool.