If you are searching for a delightful treat that perfectly balances sweet crunch and nutty flavor, this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe is a true game-changer. It offers that classic, irresistible snap and buttery richness that makes peanut brittle a beloved snack for everyone. Whether you’re making it for the holidays, a party, or just a cozy night in, this recipe turns simple pantry staples into a glorious candy masterpiece you’ll want to share with everyone you know.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe starts with a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect texture, rich taste, and that beautiful golden color you expect from a homemade candy.
- Sugar: The primary sweetener, it caramelizes to give brittle its signature golden hue and crisp texture.
- Light corn syrup: Helps prevent crystallization, ensuring a smooth, glassy finish.
- Water: Hydrates the sugar, allowing it to dissolve and cook evenly.
- Salted roasted peanuts: Add a savory crunch and deepen the flavor profile with their toasty richness.
- Butter: Provides a luscious mouthfeel and a rich, creamy undertone.
- Baking soda: Reacts chemically to create tiny air bubbles, making the brittle light and crispy.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and complexity to the candy’s sweet flavor.
How to Make Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by lining a sheet pan with parchment paper to ensure your brittle won’t stick when it cools. Set aside all measured ingredients—peanuts, butter, baking soda, and vanilla—so you can add them quickly when the time comes. Timing is everything in candy-making!
Step 2: Combine Sugar, Water, and Corn Syrup
In a medium saucepan, add sugar and water, stirring to dissolve. Then pour in the light corn syrup. Cook this mixture over medium heat, avoiding the temptation to crank up the heat, and stir occasionally as it comes to a gentle boil. This slow approach prevents burning and helps achieve that perfect candy consistency.
Step 3: Monitor the Temperature
Attach a candy thermometer to your pot, ensuring the bulb is submerged but not touching the bottom. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature hits 250°F (121°C), the soft crack stage that’s critical for brittle’s texture.
Step 4: Add the Peanuts
Stir in the salted roasted peanuts and keep stirring constantly. The temperature will rise again to 300°F (149°C), the hard crack stage, signaling that the candy is ready for the next step. This high heat cooks out excess moisture, leaving you with that satisfying snap.
Step 5: Finish with Butter, Baking Soda, and Vanilla
Remove the pot from heat immediately, then quickly stir in the butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Watch as the mixture foams up, a sign that the baking soda’s reaction is creating the airy texture that sets this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe apart.
Step 6: Pour and Spread
Carefully pour the steaming mixture onto your prepared sheet pan. Use a knife or spoon to spread it evenly while it’s still hot. This ensures your peanut brittle cools in thin, crisp sheets perfect for breaking into bite-sized pieces.
Step 7: Cool and Break Into Pieces
Allow the brittle to cool completely for at least 30 minutes to set properly. Once hardened, break it apart into irregular pieces and get ready to enjoy that iconic crunchy, nutty treat.
How to Serve Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
Garnishes
While peanut brittle is delicious on its own, sprinkling a little flaky sea salt just after pouring can enhance the sweet and savory interplay. For a festive touch, consider garnishing with finely chopped roasted almonds or a dusting of cinnamon to add warmth and complexity.
Side Dishes
Homemade peanut brittle is the perfect companion to a cup of rich coffee or creamy hot chocolate. It also pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream, adding a textural contrast that elevates the dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Thinking beyond just a bowl of brittle? Break it into decorative shards and use them to top cupcakes or cakes. Package chunks in pretty jars or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for charming homemade gifts that your friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover peanut brittle fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. This prevents moisture from softening the candy and preserves its irresistible crunch for up to two weeks.
Freezing
You can freeze homemade peanut brittle to extend its shelf life. Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature—no reheating required!
Reheating
Generally, brittle is best enjoyed as is after cooling. However, if your pieces have lost some crispness, warming them gently in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes can help refresh the crunch.
FAQs
Can I use raw peanuts instead of roasted?
Yes, but roasting your own will bring out a deeper, richer flavor. If you use raw peanuts, consider roasting them first for about 10 minutes at 350°F to achieve that toasty taste essential to peanut brittle.
What does the baking soda do in this recipe?
Baking soda creates tiny air bubbles when added to the hot sugar mixture, which lightens the texture and helps the brittle become crisp and easy to break.
Is it necessary to use a candy thermometer?
While you can attempt this recipe without one, a candy thermometer ensures you reach the exact temperatures needed for the perfect brittle, avoiding undercooked or burnt candy.
Can I substitute peanuts with other nuts?
Absolutely! While peanuts are traditional, you can experiment with almonds, cashews, or pecans for a different flavor profile. Just be mindful of baking times as some nuts roast faster than others.
Why didn’t my peanut brittle harden properly?
This usually happens when the sugar solution doesn’t reach the hard crack stage or if it is disturbed before cooling. Make sure to cook to 300°F and pour immediately to set correctly.
Final Thoughts
Making your own candy might seem intimidating, but this Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe proves it’s worth the effort and surprisingly simple. The reward? A golden, crunchy treat bursting with nutty flavor that brings smiles around any table. So go ahead, give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite tradition.
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Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 50 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Peanut Brittle recipe produces a perfectly crunchy, sweet, and nutty candy that’s ideal for snacking or gifting. Made with simple ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and roasted peanuts, it captures the nostalgic flavor of homemade brittle with a satisfying crisp texture. The cooking process involves careful candy thermometer monitoring to achieve the ideal hard crack stage, ensuring a smooth, foamy finish when baking soda and vanilla are added.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups salted roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy removal of the brittle later.
- Gather ingredients: Measure out the peanuts, butter, baking soda, and vanilla so they are ready to add when needed.
- Combine sugar mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water, stirring well. Stir in the light corn syrup and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches a gentle boil. Avoid increasing heat too much to prevent burning.
- Monitor temperature to 250°F: Attach a candy thermometer to the pot, making sure it’s submerged but not touching the bottom. Continue cooking with occasional stirring until the temperature reaches 250°F (121°C).
- Add peanuts and cook to 300°F: Stir in the salted roasted peanuts and keep stirring constantly until the temperature reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Add butter, baking soda, and vanilla: Remove the mixture from heat immediately and quickly stir in the butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam and its texture will change to a lighter, airy consistency.
- Pour and spread: Carefully pour the hot brittle mixture onto the prepared pan. Use a knife or spoon to spread it evenly while hot, working quickly and carefully.
- Cool and set: Allow the brittle to cool completely on the pan for at least 30 minutes, where it will harden and become crisp.
- Break and store: Once fully cooled, break the brittle into pieces and store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for precise temperature control to achieve the perfect brittle texture.
- Do not increase the heat too quickly; cooking slowly helps avoid burning the sugar mixture.
- Adding baking soda creates the signature light foam and texture of peanut brittle.
- Ensure mixtures are spread quickly once out of heat as it hardens fast.
- Store brittle in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to prevent it from becoming sticky.
