Friday, March 11, 2016

Elve's Peanut Patties, a 60 Year Texarkana Tradition.

Peanut patties, those delightful sugary creations that have often graced the palm or pocket of a traveler in need of sweet delights, are common in the southwest.  Let's take a look at how they're made at Texarkana's own Elve's Peanut Patty Company.


Check out the video at the bottom of this page.

Hunter and I made the detour on our epic road trip on US Highway 71 to watch the making of the famed round patties and to see how they were made.

Elve Otwell had been working at a candy company in the 1950s.  The company made a lot of different confections, including peanut patties.  But Otwell didn't care for how they were made, so he came up with a new recipe and started making his own.  Thus, the Elve's Peanut Patty Company was born in 1956.

Elve's Peanut Patties spotted at Monster Mart in Fouke.
Over the years, his peanut patties gained wide renown.  They became a staple at the Four States Fair in Texarkana each year, and at just about every gas station and grocery store in Miller County and beyond.

A few years back, Mr. Otwell decided to retire.  He first sold the business to Pam Brackman, who in turn sold it to Joe and Shelly Hickey.  Today, Mr. Otwell and Pam and Shelly are the only people who know the recipe and the exact ratios involved in making those peanut patties.

First thing you need to know is that the product is always fresh.  If you order your peanut patties online, they're made after you order.  They're available in boxes of 20 that way, which is great if you don't live in the area and you'd like your own.

The patties are all delivered to stores by the Hickeys, too, so they know exactly where those peanut patties are going... including places like the
For Hilton Honors members, Elve's Peanut Patties are one of
the snacks Gold and Diamond members can choose.
Monster Mart in Fouke, and the Hampton Inn in Texarkana.

The second thing you need to know is - all peanut patties are not created equal.  Almost to the letter, every peanut patty I've seen except those sold by Elve's are pink or red.  That's due to food coloring, and it's just not necessary.  The patties Elve's makes are a little pinkish, but that's because peanut skins can be a little reddish.


At times, they're not.  Shelly told me while we were watching the pour that sometimes peanuts come in very pale, even almost white.  Like other crops, there are a lot of variables in growing peanuts, and they can come out a variety of colors.

The peanuts used are actually from within a short distance, from Texas and Oklahoma.  They could be from Arkansas, when there are enough peanuts being produced to purchase them, but Texarkana is a border town and these peanuts are still local to Elve's.

As I mentioned, we watched the pour.  We arrived on a Monday morning and entered just as the big copper vat was being brought from the kitchen to the steel-lined pouring table.  Hundreds of little steel rings are laid out on a steel sheet on top of that steel table, and the hot peanut candy is poured into each one of those rounds.  Each batch from the copper pot makes about 250 peanut patties.  The ingredients
are simple - peanuts, corn syrup, sugar, vanilla.  That's all.

As Shelly worked on pouring in the candy, her assistant used the back of a spoon to smush the mixture down into the rings.  A lot ended up outside the rings, but that's all right.  I'll show you why in a minute.

This little operation isn't open to the general public.  Some candy places offer tours, but all that's made here are the peanut patties.  That's okay, I'm showing you around.

Because it was humid, it took a little longer than usual for the candy to set.  An average batch takes 20-30 minutes to cool and solidify.  Fans are trained on the table from both ends to help the candy set quicker. And there you go.  It's simple but it's also labor intensive, pouring all that
hot candy into molds.

Shelly says Elve's Peanut Patty Company goes through about 1500 pounds of peanuts a month on an average month, but much more during the Four States Fair, when new patties are delivered daily to the fairgrounds.


When the candy had cooled, Shelly and her assistant took what appeared to be a broomstick, lifted the end of one of the steel sheets and ran it underneath.  They then both grabbed an end of the stick and pulled it to the other end
of the table, creating a steel wave under the patties in their steel rings.  This breaks them into patties and crumbles.  Once the patties are transferred to steel tubs, the rings are removed and Elve's Peanut Patty Crumbles are made from the remaining candy on the sheet.  It's a good use of the candy and means there's no waste afterwards.

Afterwards, each patty is wrapped and sealed... and it's ready to go.

In the coming months, Elve's Peanut Patties will be arriving on shelves here in Central Arkansas.  That means more of us will be able to enjoy these
really nifty Arkansas-made candies.

If you'd like to order your own, check out this website.





Last place visited?  Four States Auto Museum
And then, read about El Chico's Arkansas connection
Our overnight accommodations in Texarkana at the Hampton Inn, room 400
Next up:
Arkansas Welcome Center at Red River
And... downtown Ashdown
also Karen's Krystals in Lockesburg
Cossatot State Park Natural Area
and Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge
followed by a tour of Arkansas's oldest movie house, Scott Theater in Waldron.

10 comments:

  1. As far as I am concerned, these are the BEST Peanut Patties on the planet! We don't have them in this part of California so I indulge whenever I travel to Arkansas and Texas. I hope the company never stops making them.

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  2. These are the best peanut patties i have ever tasted my mom knows that we are we are looking awaiting mom to bring this treat when she comes from arkansas to us in california i have had many but these are the best ...this is gods work....lol .

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  3. can I buy in grocery stores here in texarkana

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  4. I love love love these peanut patties! No substitute please. Only Elve’s will do!

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  5. I love these Patties. I bought them at the grocery on Main St in Texarkana back in the 80s. I want to order some. I need the website.

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  6. So, in Truck Stops across the states of NC, SC and FLA, you can buy a variation of this in bar form. Never as good as these, but a close substitute if you are desperate!

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  7. I live in Portland Oregon. I grew up in Texarkana. When ever I visit I always get some of your patties. I have not found any in stores in Portland. My sister lives in Texarkana and sent some patties. They are awesome. I would like to order some in the near future.

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  8. I dont know the website, but the address to order is: ELVES PEANUT PATTIES: 4329 Miller County 10, FOUKE,AR 71837 TEL:(870) 653-4310

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  9. Brother Joe Hickey crafts the patties.With the help of the Holy Ghost! Acts3:38.

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  10. Can someone tell me how I can purchase these Patties?

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