I’ve been re-living a cringe moment in my head the last few days. I don’t know what brings these old memories back to the surface, but when it happens, it takes days to shake it off.
When I was in college, I taught yoga classes. The yoga classes were part of a general fitness program on campus that students could attend at the gym. Every semester, we held a promotional event where each teacher taught a quick 5-minute segment to introduce their class. Students were doing 5 minutes of kick boxing, followed by 5 minutes of step aerobics, then 5 minutes of belly dancing and so on. I was on the schedule to end the event with 5 minutes of relaxing yoga. I stood on the side of the stage, awaiting my turn and trying desperately to fit the head set on my head. Nothing labeled 'one size fits all' has ever fit me, so why would a head set fit around my petite head on this day? Suddenly, time ran out and I had to go on stage regardless. I teetered the head set on my ears and thought if I could just hold my neck a certain way, it would stay up for 5 minutes. Mid-pose, the head set fell off my head and crashed down to the floor. Except, before the microphone hit the floor, it passed briefly in front of my mouth long enough to hear me say “Craaaap!” Except…I didn’t say crap. I said, well, you know…starts with an ‘sh.’ Did I mention I went to a Christian college? It was awful. The whole room froze: staring at me because I just said an expletive. So much for relaxing, calming yoga! My face turned red, and I wrapped up my session early and slipped off stage.
What does this have to do with peanut patties? Nothing, except that the color of these peanut clusters was the same color as my face that day.
If you've never had this chewy Texas delight, it tastes a little like a homemade PayDay candy bar: peanuts encapsulated in a soft, creamy caramel. Peanut patties are some of the best things found in gas stations in Texas. This recipe requires a candy thermometer. Don't be scared! Also, the red dye is optional.
Dear friends, thank you SO much for the good wishes on our move! I have arrived safe & sound in the beautiful green rolling hills of north eastern Kansas. However, our stuff has not arrived from California, so in the meantime I have baked recipes ahead of time to share with you.
These peanut patties are the perfect snack!Texas Peanut Patties
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 356Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 2gSugar: 49gProtein: 6g
what katie's baking says
hahah you are too funny. that's okay, we've all had our moments.
these look delicious; i love paydays!!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Oooh these look amazing! Love the bright color! :)
CulinarilyCourtney says
Haha! Loved that little story and the chuckle it gave me. I have never seen a candy as bright as this--adorable and indulgently girly :)
Chineka @ http://savorthebaking.blogspot.com says
This looks delicious and I absolutely love that it's pink.
Sues says
I'm obsessed with the color of these! Obsessed. Huge congrats on finding your dream wedding dress- that's SO exciting!! :)
Sue says
Love the recipe, candy, and comments. I believe the red is necessary just as it is in red velvet cake. The tan ones just don't taste the same as the red ones. For tan, I make peanut brittle so maybe the originator added the red so folks could tell the difference just by looking. Have eaten these as long as I can remember...and trust me...that is a long, long time. When I go to the Lonestar Steakhouse, I always come home with a small lunch paper bag full of fresh roasted peanuts. I just don't add them until they won't have to roast but will have time to warm up.
Saying crap in church doesn't seem to bother anyone but me in my church. Even the older men have begun to use it regular basis. Might as well be saying sh... in my opinion but who counts that? LOL. Lots worse said on street and at work. Wonderful memory for you though 8:o)
Linda says
Had to laugh when I saw "red dye". I could just see some young cook putting dye in instead of food coloring. haha
Christina says
You're so right, Linda! I changed it! I figured most people knew ingredients in a recipe had to be food grade, but you never know! Thanks :)
mickey says
WHOA!!! Being from Texas myself these really speak to me :) Love these
mickey
Mary Digges says
Have been trying to make these for years with various recipes. This is the first recipe I have tried that really works! Follow it exactly and you will have the real Texas Peanut Patty! May be a little time consuming but don't double, just make small batches.
Christina Lane says
Thank you for such a sincere compliment! :)
Connie says
I'm originally from Texas &, other than family, these peanut patties & bluebonnets are what I miss the most.
I will definitely be giving these a try. It's rainy today, so will wait until it dries up a bit.
I plan to enter them into our local fair, if the are as good as I remember.
Thank you.