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Homemade Peanut Brittle

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Finally nailed homemade peanut brittle! Takes about 45 minutes of careful watching. The sugar gets perfectly amber while peanuts toast right in the mix. Used candy thermometer for exact temps - no guessing here. Made it for holiday gifts and everyone asked for recipe. Love that satisfying crack when you break it.
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Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:25:01 GMT
A close-up of broken pieces of peanut brittle topped with whole and chopped peanuts, sprinkled with salt. Pin it
A close-up of broken pieces of peanut brittle topped with whole and chopped peanuts, sprinkled with salt. | lastminrecipes.com

Making homemade peanut brittle fills your kitchen with the most amazing caramel aroma. This classic candy combines buttery sweetness with roasted peanuts for that perfect crunch. I love watching the magic happen as the baking soda transforms the syrup into a light airy brittle.

Why This Recipe Works

Don't let candy making intimidate you this recipe breaks everything down into simple steps. The special touch of baking soda creates that amazing light texture you'll love. Make it classic or get creative with different nuts and toppings.

What You Need

Start with good quality granulated sugar and light corn syrup they're the foundation of your brittle. Raw peanuts work best since they'll roast right in the hot syrup. You'll need some unsalted butter baking soda for that perfect texture and vanilla extract for flavor. A pinch of salt brings everything together.

Let's Make Brittle

Get everything measured and ready before you start then line your baking sheet. Cook your sugar and corn syrup until it hits 250°F then add those peanuts. Keep stirring and cooking until you reach 300°F that's when the magic happens. Take it off the heat stir in your butter vanilla and that crucial baking soda then pour it out and let it cool. Once it's hard break it into pieces.

Make It Your Own

Want to make it extra special? Drizzle some melted chocolate over the top. Add some warm spices like cinnamon for a holiday twist. My favorite upgrade is sprinkling some flaky sea salt on top while it's still warm it makes the flavors pop.

Keeping It Fresh

Your peanut brittle will stay crispy for about two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. You can even freeze it for up to 3 months just put some parchment paper between layers. One important tip skip making brittle on humid days the moisture can make it sticky.

A close-up of caramel nut brittle pieces topped with crunchy almonds and a sprinkle of coarse salt on a plate. Pin it
A close-up of caramel nut brittle pieces topped with crunchy almonds and a sprinkle of coarse salt on a plate. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is humidity important when making brittle?
High humidity can prevent the candy from setting properly and make it sticky. Choose a dry day for best results.
→ Why do I need a candy thermometer?
Precise temperature control is crucial for achieving the right texture. The candy needs to reach exactly 300°F for perfect brittleness.
→ Why add baking soda?
Baking soda creates tiny air bubbles in the candy, making it lighter and easier to break. It also helps create the classic brittle texture.
→ How do I store peanut brittle?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when properly stored.
→ Why measure ingredients before starting?
Once the cooking begins, timing is critical and you won't have time to measure ingredients. Having everything ready ensures success.

Homemade Peanut Brittle

A classic candy recipe combining crunchy peanuts with golden caramelized sugar for a perfectly sweet and salty treat.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (1 batch)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 cups granulated sugar.
02 1 cup light corn syrup.
03 2 cups raw peanuts.
04 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
05 1 teaspoon baking soda.
06 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
07 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Line baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment. Measure all ingredients. Attach candy thermometer to heavy saucepan.

Step 02

Combine sugar and corn syrup in pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles.

Step 03

At 250°F, add raw peanuts. Stir constantly to prevent burning until temperature reaches 300°F.

Step 04

Remove from heat. Stir in butter, vanilla, and baking soda.

Step 05

Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely for 30-45 minutes.

Step 06

Break into pieces once cool. Store in airtight container.

Notes

  1. Don't make on humid days.
  2. Use candy thermometer.
  3. Keep children away during cooking.
  4. Store up to 2 weeks.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  • Candy thermometer.
  • Baking sheet.
  • Silicon mat or parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Peanuts.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 6 g