Peanut Brittle (the best)

Made this back in December/holiday time.  Family recipe: this is my late Aunt Sue's recipe for peanut brittle, which is the best I know of (far better than the one my mom and I tried a few years back at my old house).  Easy and tasty--10/10!

Ingredients:

2 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/2 c. water
10-12 oz. raw peanuts
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 T. unsalted butter, plus more to butter pan(s)


Instructions:

1. Prepare a large baking sheet or two by buttering it/them well (original recipe calls for 14 1/2" x 17" sheet).

2.In a large, deep pan/pot, stir together sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat, until sugar dissolves.  Place lid on pan and cook for 3 minutes.

3. Remove lid and continue cooking, using a candy thermometer to monitor temperature.  Stir occasionally and cook until reaches 234°F (soft ball stage).

4. Add peanuts and stir frequently, continuing to cook until mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).  Immediately remove from heat (at 300°F) and stir in remaining ingredients (salt, baking soda, vanilla, butter).

5. Pour onto prepared sheet(s) and spread out as much as possible.

6. As candy cools, loosen edges and pull gently to stretch candy thinner (be very careful of the peanuts--they stay hotter much longer!)  Break hardened pieces off and set aside until you have all small pieces.  Enjoy!