The June Festivals (Festas Juninas) are already underway in Brazil… and Father’s Day will also be commemorated this Sunday. Brazilian Peanut Brittle, known as Pé de Moleque, was our pick to make these two dates memorable. It is simple to make yet is sweet, nutty, buttery, and hearty… a true party for the mouth!
This brittle is a typical treat during these Brazilian festivities… as well as something that would make Dad happy to receive or to be served.
The Brazilian version is similar to the American, although nuttier… and this specific recipe is quite a bit more buttery. It incorporates more peanuts and, of course, lots of butter, which gives the blond color to our brittle.
There are many different versions of Pé de Moleque (Brazilian peanut brittle) — with differences in ingredients, color (ranging from blond to a deep dark caramel), and cut/shape. In addition, baking soda was also added to our recipe to make the brittle crack nicely even in hot and humid weather like we have been having lately in Texas.
If you are planning an authentic festa junina, make our Brazilian peanut brittle, as well as some corn dishes such as bolo de milho (corn bundt cake), curau (sweet corn pudding), pamonha de forno (gluten-free creamy corn cake)… and cocada (Brazilian coconut bars). Wash them all down with quentão (Brazilian mulled wine)… dance quadrilha to the lively sound of forró music beneath a tent brightly decorated with colored flags and sky lanterns. And don’t forget the fireworks!
Now then, if you would love to treat Dad like a king, present him with this super delish brittle and serve him some of these 20 guy-pleasing dishes. Tell me, whose Dad wouldn’t go crazy for a humongous burger, finger-licking pork ribs, hearty steak and eggs, breakfast pizza, or barbecue? 😉
Wishing all of you a fun festa junina… and to all our fabulous Dads a very HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! You guys rock!
Brazilian Peanut Brittle (Pé de Moleque)
Ingredients
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 2-1/2 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts (whole and/or halved)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
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Grease the bottom of a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
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Place the butter, sugar, salt, and light corn syrup in a large non-stick saucepan. Cook over medium heat (large burner), stirring slowly and constantly with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes. As soon as the butter is completely melted and the mixture reaches a pale yellow color, add the peanuts and reduce the heat to medium-low.
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Cook for 13-15 minutes, stirring constantly or until caramel has thickened and peanuts stick onto each other -- as opposed to falling immediately off the lifted wooden spoon.
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Remove mixture from heat and stir in both the vanilla and baking soda until obtaining a homogeneous mixture. Pour mixture immediately onto the greased baking sheet. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top and spread the brittle thin using a rolling pan. Be careful to not get burned. Let the peanut brittle cool completely at room temperature before breaking into 2-inch pieces with your hands. Enjoy!
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STORAGE: Store in a large Ziploc bag or an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2-3 weeks.
Recipe Notes
There are many different versions of Pé de Moleque (Brazilian peanut brittle) -- with differences in ingredients, color (ranging from a blond to a deep dark caramel), and cut/shape. Our is blond because it incorporates more butter. Baking soda was also added to the recipe to make the brittle crack nicely even in hot and humid whether.
The Brazilian Peanut Brittle has captured my attention! I really like the idea of more peanuts, so very scrumptious! I’m all for celebrating Father’s Day. I just hope they are willing to share some of the Brazilian Peanut Brittle!
Thank you Deb!! It is an edible present any Dad would love it.
This looks wonderful! I enjoy all kinds of brittle and my hubby really likes peanut brittle. I think he may enjoy this for Fathers Day 🙂
Wishing your hubby an awesome day!
Thank you, Nazneen! My husband liked a lot although he is not a fan of peanuts. He told me I have to make this same recipe with pecans for him. 😉
Nuttier and more buttery? Sounds perfect! Love peanut brittle, and haven’t made it in ages. Need to make it soon — using this recipe! More nuts and butter definitely works for me. Thanks!
Gosh, Denise….I can’t remember the last time I had peanut brittle, but I don’t know why…because I love it so much. What a fabulous recipe….I love the amount of peanuts in these. And what a great array of father’s day recipes, too. I don’t know where to start!
I remember pe de moleque, so good…thanks for the recipe…my husband will love this!
Hope you are having a great week Denise 🙂
I love the light color of that peanut brittle, our peanut brittle back home in the Philippines are darker because of the sugar used, will try this method in the future