ABOUT US
Ardie's recipe in accomplishing these goals included surrounding her ladybugs with a loving and stable home; supporting and encouraging education and activities that fosters an adventurous journey; and sharing the love from her trusted "village". The village is an awesome group of extraordinary family and friends who counsel, encourage, and on numerous occasions cheer us to the finish line. With their evergreen support, she was able to accomplish her most treasured aspirations, in being the best that she could be as a mother, daughter and friend.
Ardie's love for cooking was inspired by the collection of delicious recipes from three amazing women who unselfishly loved, cared and formed her passion for the art of cooking, baking, and candy making. Delores Arbaugh, mother, Lillian Hicks, grandmother and Ardie Nunley-Kibbett (aka Big Ardie), godmother who also shared her name.
Adopting high standards and demonstrating passion in everything she does, Ardie found that one of her favorite pastimes was separating hectic business days with her "second job", staying connected to the girls. She turned to her love for delicious foods and began experimenting with family recipes, her collection of cookbooks, and Bon Appétit magazines to create beautifully hand-crafted meals -- fresh and with high quality ingredients, meals prepared from "scratch", filled with her passion, and her dedication to the health of family.
Over the years, many traditions were established, one of which was spreading holiday cheer and thanking loved ones, family and friends with expressions of gratitude for their unwavering love and encouragement. Ardie began experimenting with different confection recipes until she concocted what was believed to be the most satisfying peanut brittle suitable for her treasured "village".
October 2008, Ardie founded Butterfly Brittle, bringing together a combination of her favorite things: artisan peanut brittle, decorative packaging, the color purple, and the beautiful butterfly. Butterfly Brittle has evolved over the past three years with the full support of family members. Megan Lerchenmuller assumed the role of VP, Marketing and Public Relations, contributing her alluring enthusiasm and social media expertise to further expand Butterfly Brittle’s market presence.
Butterfly Brittle is fondly prepared with the finest all natural products, tested and approved by the most loved and respected tasters, and is carefully packaged as a coveted gift from the heart of its producer, to enhance any occasion. Our goal is to continue lifting spirits and bring endless delight and pleasure to the art of giving and expression of gratitude. Our tasty varietals are packaged with eco-friendly packaging and gift tagged to brighten one's spirits, extend your sincerest wishes of appreciation, encouragement, friendship or in helping you "seize the day".
HISTORY OF PEANUT BRITTLE
Brittle is a simple and ancient sweet, a popular confection in North America that is produced and enjoyed throughout the world. Similar confections (which include such nuts as, pistachios, almonds, cashews or sesame seeds) are popular in Arabic countries and in Asia.
Brittle is a hard confection typically made from plain sugar syrup cooked at medium temperature until it reaches approximately 285 degrees (caramel stage) and is then poured over nuts. Most brittle confections are flat, crunchy, broken pieces of hard sugar candy, made of near-caramel sugar syrup, and mixed with varieties of nuts, including peanuts, pecans, almonds, pistachio, and cashews. It is very similar to types of dark nougat made only with honey and nuts.
BUTTERFLY BRITTLE VARIETALS
Original Collection - Peanut Brittle, No Nut Coconut Brittle, Spicy Pecan Brittle, Zesty Pistachio Brittle. Seasonal Collection - Tropical Macadamia Brittle, Gingered Cashew Brittle, "Wow" Cacao Brittle, and Holiday Mint Brittle.
