Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Homemade Peanut Brittle is perfect for making and sharing around the holidays! A crunchy candy layer is loaded with roasted peanuts for a sweet and salty treat.
Filled with holiday nostalgia!
I love making this Peanut Brittle recipe in winter because it’s so nostalgic and fun to share.
Peanut Brittle Candy also makes a wonderful hostess gift. Just stash a handful or two in a tin or a mason jar and tie with a ribbon!
While Peanut Brittle only contains a handful of ingredients, following the process is key for the perfect texture. But as long as you use a candy thermometer for accuracy, this recipe turns out great!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Salty, sweet. Caramelized candied peanuts.
Texture: Deliciously crunchy.
Ease: 4/10
Pros: An easy edible gift to make with minimal ingredients, with just 30 minutes of hands-on time.
Cons: A candy thermometer is going to be necessary for this recipe!
Would I Make This Again? Yes, I love making several batches to gift away in cellophane bags tied off with a festive ribbon or in mason jars!
Peanut Brittle Ingredients
- Granulated sugar – The base of this treat!
- Light corn syrup – Reacting with the sugar, corn syrups helps create that crack-able texture.
- Dry roasted peanuts – Deliciously salty to balance out the sweetness! You can also use raw Spanish peanuts.
- Salt – To emphasize the flavor contrast.
- Unsalted butter – I prefer using unsalted butter and adding my own salt so I can control exactly how much goes in.
- Baking soda – The secret to making it brittle!
How To Make Peanut Brittle
- In a deep skillet, slowly cook sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of water on medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil, and continue cooking until the sugar mixture reaches the soft-ball stage on a candy thermometer (235 degrees F), about 10 minutes
- Add in the peanuts and salt. Cook until the temperature reaches 300 degrees (the hard crack stage), stirring constantly, about 10 more minutes until it’s a deep golden brown. (Pay attention to this part as the brittle will burn if cooked too long).
- Remove from heat and add in the butter and baking soda; stir to blend. The mixture will bubble up.
- Pour the brittle mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread it out with a spatula and allow the brittle to cool for about 30 minutes until it’s cool to the touch.
- Once cooled completely, slide a spatula underneath to lift the brittle and break it into pieces. Store covered at room temperature.
Rebecca’s Tips
- A candy thermometer will help ensure that your temperatures are accurate and you get perfect brittle instead of a soft or burnt mess.
- To achieve the proper texture, the brittle stage, also called the hard-crack stage, occurs at 300 to 310 degrees.
- It does take about 20 to 30 minutes for the peanut brittle to fully harden.
- Your brittle may turn out too hard if there isn’t enough baking soda in the peanut brittle.
- To prevent the brittle from sticking to the pan be sure to use a generous amount of cooking spray and be sure to coat the sides of the pan as well. You can also use parchment paper or a silicone mat, but DON’T use wax paper, which will melt.
What does baking soda do?
It’s all chemistry! Baking soda reacts with the other ingredients to create tiny air bubbles, so it easily cracks. This prevents it from becoming a rock-solid hunk of sugar.
How To Store Peanut Brittle
Store in an airtight container at room temperature, it should keep for 2 months!
More Homemade Candy Recipes!
- Crockpot Candy – Chocolate and almond bark melted in the Crock-Pot with peanuts for a crunchy treat.
- Irish Potato Candy – Airy coconut balls coated in cinnamon look just like potatoes!
- Pretzel Turtles – Made with pretzels, pecans, and Rolos, you’ll want to keep popping ‘em!
- Cookie Dough Truffles – A must for cookie dough fans!
- Candied Lemon Slices – A beautiful, delicious garnish for drinks and desserts.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.
Peanut Brittle
Equipment
- Deep skillet
- Candy Thermometer
- Baking Sheet
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts traditionally raw Spanish peanuts are used too
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare a large 17” rimmed cookie sheet by spraying it with a nonstick cooking spray, spray the edges as well. Set aside.
- In a deep skillet, slowly cook sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of water on medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. bring to a boil and continue cooking until the candy thermometer reaches the soft-ball stage (235°F), about 10 minutes.
- Add in the peanuts and salt. Cook until the candy thermometer reaches the hard crack stage (300 to 310°F), stirring constantly, about 10 more minutes. (Pay attention to this part as the brittle will burn if cooked too long).
- Remove from heat and add in the butter and baking soda; stir to blend. The mixture will bubble up.
- Pour the brittle mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread it out with a spatula and allow the brittle to cool for about 30 minutes until it’s cool to the touch.
- Once cooled completely, slide a spatula underneath to lift the brittle up and break it into pieces. Store covered at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a generous amount of cooking spray and be sure to coat the sides of the pan as well. You can also use parchment paper or a silicone mat, but DON’T use wax paper, which will melt.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature, it should keep for 2 months!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!
Share your thoughts!
Love this recipe? Share your thoughts with me and leave a review! And don’t forget to connect on your favorite social platform below!