As the temperature outside starts to
cool, heat things up by adding sweet and spicy treats to your product lineup. Not
only are spicy flavors incredibly trendy right now, a little heat from red
pepper flakes or cayenne pepper can produce a more dynamic flavor in any
confection. As a general rule, spice balances sweet and vice versa. If you have
a product that has been described as “too sweet,” try adding a hint of spice to
the recipe to better balance the sweetness.
Javier Sanchez, with Savage Bros. Co.,
took a traditional confection to the next level during his demonstration at
last week’s Philadelphia Candy Show. Red Pepper Peanut Brittle is perfect for
chilly tailgate parties and bonfires, or as a gift for the heat-seekers among us.
Red Pepper Peanut Brittle
Recipe by Savage Bros. Co.
Ingredients:
4.5 lbs sugar
3 lbs corn syrup
1.5 lbs water
4.5 lbs raw peanuts
1 lb butter
.38 oz vanilla
1.13 oz baking soda
.5 oz salt
2.5 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions:
Prepare cooling table with warm water
flow. Set kettle temperature to 400 degrees. Place sugar, corn syrup and water
in kettle and bring to a boil. At 250 degrees, slowly add peanuts so not to
decrease temperature. At 280 degrees, add butter.
At 290 degrees, turn off heat and start
the water flush for 45 seconds. Add red pepper flakes and mix. Add salt, baking
soda and vanilla. This will allow brittle temperature to reach 300 degrees by
the time it’s finished mixing.
When ingredients are thoroughly
incorporated, pour onto warm table or tray and either shake pan or use a
spatula to spread brittle to desired thickness. Slowly start to cool table
down.
