Description
This Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle recipe delivers a classic, crunchy candy treat filled with roasted peanuts and a rich caramelized sugar base. Perfect for holiday gifting or satisfying your sweet tooth with a nostalgic favorite, this easy stovetop recipe yields a crisp brittle that’s both buttery and perfectly sweet, enhanced with vanilla and a hint of salt.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup raw peanuts (skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside to ensure the brittle doesn’t stick once poured.
- Combine Sugar Mixture: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, mix the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir gently just until the sugar has dissolved to avoid crystallization, then stop stirring.
- Boil and Add Peanuts: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the raw peanuts and stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan, cooking until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage), approximately 10–15 minutes.
- Remove and Add Flavorings: Take the pan off the heat and quickly stir in the unsalted butter, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt. The mixture will foam slightly, which helps create the brittle’s crunchy texture.
- Pour and Spread: Immediately pour the foamy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it evenly with a spatula to your desired thickness before it sets.
- Cool and Break: Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes until hard. Once fully set, break it into pieces.
- Store Properly: Store the peanut brittle pieces in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness for up to several weeks.
Notes
- Work quickly once the brittle mixture reaches 300°F to prevent it from hardening in the pan.
- A candy thermometer is essential to accurately gauge the hard crack stage for perfect brittle texture.
- You can substitute roasted peanuts if preferred; reduce cook time slightly to avoid burning.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking; do not use greased pans as they can affect candy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
