Crispy Peanut Nougat

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup roasted peanuts (unsalted)
• 1 cup crispy rice cereal

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pan:
   • Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper lightly with butter or cooking spray.
2. Cook the Sugar Syrup:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, water, and salt over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
   • Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and cook without stirring until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, so keep an eye on it.
3. Add Butter and Peanuts:
   • Once the syrup reaches 300°F, remove from heat and quickly stir in the butter until melted.
   • Add the roasted peanuts to the syrup mixture and stir until evenly coated.
4. Mix in Crispy Rice Cereal:
   • Immediately add the crispy rice cereal to the peanut mixture. Stir quickly but gently until the cereal is well coated with the syrup.
5. Transfer to Pan:
   • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or greased hands to press the mixture evenly into the pan.
6. Cool and Cut:
   • Let the nougat cool completely at room temperature until firm, about 1-2 hours.
   • Once cooled, lift the nougat out of the pan using the parchment paper edges and place it on a cutting board.
   • Using a sharp knife greased with butter or cooking spray, cut the nougat into small squares or bars.
7. Store:
   • Wrap the individual nougat pieces in wax paper or store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Enjoy your homemade Crispy Peanut Nougat! It’s a delightful combination of sweet, crunchy, and chewy textures that’s perfect for snacking or gifting.