Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe

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Peanut Brittle is crunchy and delicious. It’s perfect for snacking, gifting, or an after-dinner treat. Even though it can be made and eaten year-round, it always reminds me of Christmas. Making Peanut Brittle at home might seem difficult, but if you follow the recipe below carefully, you’ll be a professional candymaker (well, almost) in no time.

Candy making is a science, so it is important to do exactly as the recipe says. All your effort will be worth it because you’ll have a delicious treat to share when you’re done.

Ingredients You Will Need

Sugar provides sweetness and forms the base of the peanut brittle when it’s heated and cooled.

Light Corn Syrup gives it texture and helps with temperature control. It prevents the sugar from crystallizing which gives the brittle a smooth texture. The corn syrup also helps control the boiling temperature, preventing it from burning.

Water helps dissolve the sugar and corn syrup. It also helps regulate the boiling temperature.

Shelled Salted Peanuts add a salty, nutty flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the sugar and corn syrup. They also add a crunchy texture.

Baking Soda reacts with the acids in sugar to create air bubbles. This makes the texture more light, brittle, and crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my peanut brittle sticky? If it isn’t cooked to the correct temperature, it won’t harden correctly. High humidity can also affect the hardening process. Try making it on a dry day or using a dehumidifier.

Can I make peanut brittle without a candy thermometer? Yes, but it’s a little more difficult to test the temperature. To check if it’s done, drop a small amount of the mixture in cold water. If it hardens into brittle strands that snap easily, it’s ready.

Why did my peanut brittle burn? It burns when it is cooked at too high of a temperature for too long. Make sure to watch it closely when it gets close to 300°F because it can go from just right to burnt very quickly.

How do I keep my peanut brittle from turning grainy? This occurs when sugar crystallizes. To keep this from happening, don’t stir the sugar mixture once the sugar has dissolved. Make sure your pan and other tools are clean as well.

How do I clean the pan after I’m finished? Let the pot sit until it’s cool, then soak it in warm water with soap. The hardened sugar will dissolve and it will be easier to clean.

Helpful Tips

• Make sure all your ingredients are measured and ready so you can add them quickly.
• Don’t stir constantly. Once the sugar and corn syrup start to boil, only stir occasionally.
• Watch the temperature. Use a candy thermometer for best results.
• Be patient.
• Spread quickly and evenly. Pour it onto the prepared pan quickly and spread it out evenly.
• Cool completely. Let the peanut brittle cool completely before breaking it into pieces.
• Be careful. Hot sugar can cause severe burns. Always wear oven mitts when making candy.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container to prevent moisture, which makes peanut brittle soft and sticky.

Layer with wax paper. Place wax paper between the layers if you stack the candy. This keeps it from sticking together.

Store at room temperature.

Store for up to a month. After a month or so, it will start to lose its crispness and flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

Nuts:

• Cashews
• Almonds
• Pecans
• Pistachios
• Macadamia Nuts

Chocolate: Sprinkle chocolate chips on the hot peanut brittle and let them melt.

Seeds: Use pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds in place of or in addition to peanuts.

Sea Salt: Sprinkle sea salt over the peanut brittle before it hardens to add a salty flavor contrast.

What to Serve with Peanut Brittle

Ice cream: Peanut brittle adds a nice crunch to scoops of vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, or other flavors of ice cream

Cheese: The saltiness of cheese complements the sweetness of peanut brittle. It’s best with blue cheese, brie, or cheddar.

Fruit: The acidity of fruits like apples, pears, and grapes cut through the sweetness of peanut brittle and create a nice balance of flavor.

Coffee or tea: The caffeine in coffee or tea can help enhance the flavor of peanut brittle.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you like Peanut Brittle, you might also like Divinity Candy or Chocolate Fudge. Millionaire Candy is also delicious.

Final Thoughts

Peanut Brittle is a classic candy that many people look forward to during the holidays. My mom has made it since before I was born and I always look forward to seeing it on her cookie trays. When I make my own, it always brings back fond Christmas memories. I hope you love making it as much as I do.