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    Home » Desserts » Peanut Brittle

    Peanut Brittle

    Published: August 26, 2022 · Jill Baird · Leave a Comment

    homemade peanut brittle recipe, how to make peanut brittle.

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    Jump to Recipe
    homemade peanut brittle recipe
    classic peanut brittle recipe
    old fashioned peanut brittle recipe
    peanut brittle recipe, easy candy recipe

    This old-fashioned Peanut Brittle is light and airy, super buttery and chock full of crunchy peanuts.  It’s a simple homemade candy that everyone loves and takes just a few minutes to make.

    Jump to:
    • The Best Peanut Brittle Recipe
    • Ingredients in Peanut Brittle
    • How to Make Peanut Brittle
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing Homemade Peanut Brittle
    • Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
    • More of the Best Homemade Candy Recipes

    The Best Peanut Brittle Recipe

    If you’re looking for an easy Peanut Brittle recipe that tastes just like Grandma used to make, you’re in the right place.  This crisp and buttery candy is light, airy and won’t stick to your teeth.  

    Even if you consider yourself an inexperienced cook, we promise you’ll be able to follow this foolproof recipe and make yummy homemade candy in no time.  It’s great to have around to add to cookie plates, give away as gifts or just nibble on around the house. 

    peanut brittle recipe easy, Homemade Peanut Brittle pieces broken apart on a baking sheet.

    Ingredients in Peanut Brittle

    • Sugar - you’ll need white granulated sugar for this recipe.
    • Corn Syrup - this helps make sure the sugar syrup doesn’t crystallize as it cooks, making it grainy.
    • Water - this is added to the sugar mixture to help ensure that it cooks evenly.
    • Peanuts - I like to use raw peanuts, but salted peanuts and roasted peanuts would also work great.
    • Butter - it’s a good idea to cut your butter into pieces so that it will melt quickly in the hot syrup.
    • Salt
    • Baking Soda - this creates miniscule bubbles in the brittle, helping to give it it’s characteristic texture.
    • Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
    recipe for peanut brittle, recipe peanut brittle.

    How to Make Peanut Brittle

    1. Cook the sugar syrup.  In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.
    2. Add the peanuts.  Add the peanuts and stir frequently until the temperature reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
    3. Stir in the rest.  Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, butter, salt and vanilla. Stir just until combined.
    4. Pour mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.   Immediately pour the mixture as evenly as possible onto a large buttered baking sheet (or a baking sheet covered in parchment paper).  Do not spread.
    5. Cool completely.  Let the mixture cool to room temperature (at least 30 minutes) then break into 2" pieces using your fingers.
    6. Serve.  Serve immediately or store in a cool place in a covered container.  Enjoy!
    A baking sheet with a layer of peanut brittle cooling.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What’s the best way to store Peanut Brittle?

    You’ll want to store your brittle inside an airtight container in a cool, dark place.  Room temperature is preferred over the fridge because there is less chance for moisture to get to it.  

    What does baking soda do in Peanut Brittle?

    If you don’t add baking soda to your Peanut Brittle, you’ll have a hard time eating it.  The baking soda creates thousands of tiny little bubbles in the mixture making the finished texture light and airy.  

    What if I don’t have a candy thermometer?

    If you don’t have a candy thermometer, the next best thing is a meat thermometer.  Don’t have that either?  Try dipping a spoon into a small amount of mixture then plunging it into very cold water.  If the brittle threads, it’s ready.

    Why is my Peanut Brittle sticky?

    The stickiness in sugar candies means there is too much water present.  Either you didn’t cook the sugar mixture all the way to 300 degrees F or you introduced it to the refrigerator where water forms more readily.

    Storing Homemade Peanut Brittle

    Store your Peanut Brittle in an airtight container at room temperature, in a cool dark place.  If stored properly, it should last for up to 2 weeks.

    homemade old fashioned peanut brittle
    Print

    Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe

    This old-fashioned Peanut Brittle is light and airy, super buttery and chock full of crunchy peanuts.  It’s a simple homemade candy that everyone loves and takes just a few minutes to make.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cooling Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    Servings 18 people
    Calories 334kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups Sugar
    • 1 ¼ cups Light Corn Syrup
    • ½ cup Water
    • 2 cups Peanuts raw
    • ½ cup Butter
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

    Instructions

    • In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, stirring as needed.
    • Add the peanuts and stir frequently until the temperature reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
    • Remove from heat and add the butter, salt, baking soda and vanilla. Stir just until combined then immediately pour as evenly as possible onto a large buttered baking sheet. Do not spread.
    • Let the mixture cool to room temperature (at least 30 minutes) then break into 2" pieces using your fingers.
    • Serve immediately or store in a cool place in a covered container. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

    More of the Best Homemade Candy Recipes

    • Animal Cookie Fudge
    • Reese's Peanut Butter Fudge
    • Rolo Pretzel Reindeer Candy
    • Divinity Candy Recipe
    • Pretzel Toffee
    • Easy Homemade Chocolate Fudge
    • Homemade Caramels
    • Nutella Balls
    • More Christmas Candy Recipes
    • More Dessert Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    Pinterest pin for Peanut Brittle.

    This easy Homemade Peanut Brittle tastes just like Grandma used to make. It's light and airy, super buttery and chock full of peanuts.

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