If you’ve ever craved the perfect balance of sweet crunch and nutty goodness, this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It’s a classic treat that combines caramelized sugar with roasted peanuts, creating a satisfyingly crisp candy that’s irresistibly addictive. Whether you’re making it for a festive gathering, a homemade gift, or just a special snack, this recipe is straightforward and produces a brittle that’s perfectly golden, with the right amount of crunch and just a hint of buttery richness. Dive in and let me show you how simple ingredients transform into an unforgettable sweet delight!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe lies in its simplicity: just a handful of pantry staples that work harmoniously to create a crunchy, flavorful treat. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from sweetness to texture and even that lovely golden color.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: The foundational sweetness that caramelizes to give brittle its signature flavor and crunch.
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup: Keeps the sugar smooth and prevents crystallization, ensuring a glossy and shiny finish.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter: Adds richness and a subtle creamy note to balance the caramel’s intensity.
- 1 cup raw peanuts: The star nut, offering that perfect nutty crunch and toasty flavor in every bite.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Creates tiny air bubbles, giving the brittle a light, airy texture instead of being overly dense.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness, bringing all the flavors together beautifully.
How to Make Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Surface
Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is essential because the molten brittle will stick to anything else, and parchment paper allows easy removal once the brittle has cooled and hardened.
Step 2: Combine Sugar and Corn Syrup
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and light corn syrup. Stir continuously—this prevents the sugar from burning and encourages even melting. Watch the mixture closely as it transitions from syrupy to bubbly and eventually turns a beautiful golden brown.
Step 3: Add Butter and Peanuts
Once your mixture reaches the desired amber color, add the unsalted butter, stirring until it’s fully melted and incorporated. Then, toss in the raw peanuts to coat them evenly with the growing caramel. This helps to toast the nuts gently while infusing them with buttery sweetness.
Step 4: Cook to the Perfect Temperature
Continue to cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring gently, until it reaches approximately 300°F, or a deep amber color. This is the hard crack stage where the sugar will set into a crisp brittle. Be patient here—rushing can result in a chewy, less satisfying texture.
Step 5: Mix in Baking Soda and Salt
Remove the saucepan from heat, then quickly stir in the baking soda and a pinch of salt. You’ll notice bubbling and foaming as the soda reacts, which aerates the brittle and gives it that delightful lightness. This part is crucial because it transforms the texture and prevents your brittle from being too dense.
Step 6: Pour and Spread the Brittle
Immediately pour the hot mixture onto your prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the brittle evenly, working quickly before it begins to harden. The thinner and more even the spread, the crispier and easier to break into beautiful pieces.
Step 7: Cool and Break Into Pieces
Allow your brittle to cool completely at room temperature, which usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Once hardened, simply break it into irregular pieces by hand or with the edge of a knife. Now, the fun part — indulge in your homemade treasure!
How to Serve Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
Garnishes
While peanut brittle is often perfect on its own, sprinkling a light dusting of flaky sea salt over the freshly poured candy before it cools adds a sophisticated twist. For a festive touch, you might even press in some finely chopped chili flakes or drizzle with a little melted dark chocolate to add contrasting flavors and a touch of elegance.
Side Dishes
This crunchy delight pairs wonderfully with rich, creamy desserts like vanilla ice cream or a simple whipped cream topping. It also works beautifully alongside a warm cup of coffee or a smooth glass of milk, enhancing snack time with a sweet-and-salty burst of flavor and texture.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your brittle broken into bite-sized shards arranged artfully in a clear jar or a festive bowl, perfect for gifting or party snacking. You can also layer pieces between wax paper and present them in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon — homemade gifts that everyone will rave about!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly sealed, it stays crisp and fresh for up to two weeks. Avoid storing in humid places, as moisture can cause the brittle to become sticky or lose its crunch.
Freezing
If you want to keep your homemade peanut brittle for a longer period, you can freeze it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a sealed freezer bag. It will maintain its quality for up to three months. To enjoy, just thaw at room temperature before serving for best texture.
Reheating
Since peanut brittle is best enjoyed crisp and cool, reheating is generally not recommended. However, if it feels a little soft, placing it in a low oven (about 250°F) for a few minutes can help restore some crunch—but watch closely to avoid melting.
FAQs
Can I use roasted peanuts instead of raw peanuts?
Raw peanuts are preferred because they toast perfectly during cooking, releasing fresh, nutty flavors. Using roasted peanuts is possible, but they might burn more easily, so watch them closely or reduce cooking time.
What happens if I don’t add baking soda?
Skipping the baking soda means your brittle will be denser and harder. The baking soda causes foaming that creates tiny bubbles, making the brittle lighter and giving it its classic texture.
Can I substitute corn syrup with something else?
Corn syrup helps prevent crystallization and adds moisture, so it’s key to the brittle’s texture. You can try golden syrup or honey, but these may alter the taste and texture, making it slightly less crisp or changing the flavor profile.
How do I know when the sugar mixture is ready?
Look for a rich, amber color and bubbling throughout the syrup in the saucepan. Ideally, use a candy thermometer—when it reaches about 300°F (hard crack stage), it’s ready for the next step.
Is it necessary to use unsalted butter?
Yes, unsalted butter gives you control over the salt content. Using salted butter might make your brittle too salty or unbalanced since you already add salt separately in the recipe.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe is such a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with the most irresistible aromas. With just a few simple ingredients and some care, you can create a crunchy, addictive treat that’s perfect for sharing or savoring yourself. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how satisfying homemade peanut brittle truly is!
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Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This classic Homemade Peanut Brittle recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet caramelized sugar and crunchy roasted peanuts. Made with simple ingredients and cooked on the stovetop, this treat is easy to prepare and loved by all ages. Enjoy the satisfying crunch and rich buttery flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the brittle does not stick once poured.
- Cook sugar and syrup: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and light corn syrup. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes bubbly and turns a golden brown color, indicating caramelization.
- Add butter and peanuts: Add the unsalted butter to the mixture and stir until fully melted. Then, stir in the raw peanuts, coating them evenly with the caramelized sugar mixture.
- Reach amber temperature: Continue cooking and stirring the mixture until it reaches a deep amber color, about 300°F (hard crack stage). A candy thermometer is recommended to monitor the temperature.
- Add baking soda and salt: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the baking soda and a pinch of salt. The mixture will bubble and foam, which helps lighten the brittle’s texture.
- Pour and spread: Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly before it cools and hardens.
- Cool and break: Allow the peanut brittle to cool completely at room temperature. Once hardened, break it into pieces and serve.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer to accurately reach the hard crack stage (300°F) for the perfect brittle texture.
- Be cautious while handling hot caramel as it can cause burns.
- Store peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it crisp.
- For variations, you can substitute peanuts with other nuts like almonds or pecans if desired.
- Adding baking soda creates a lighter, airier texture by introducing bubbles into the brittle.
