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There’s something timeless about peanut brittle—that golden, glossy sheet of caramelized sugar speckled with roasted peanuts, ready to snap into crisp, buttery pieces. It’s the kind of treat that feels both vintage and comforting, evoking memories of holidays, county fairs, and homemade gifts wrapped in cellophane.
Furthermore, peanut brittle isn’t just candy—it’s tradition. It’s the hum of a stovetop on a chilly afternoon, the sound of sugar snapping between your fingers, the sweetness shared between generations. My grandmother used to buy peanut brittle for my brothers and me when we were kids, so when I make peanut brittle, I always think of my grandmother. Whether you’re making it for the first time or carrying on a family recipe, peanut brittle brings a taste of joy and nostalgia to every batch.
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A Little History Behind Peanut Brittle
While its exact origin remains a bit of a mystery, peanut brittle has deep roots in American kitchens. Some say it was first created in the South, where peanuts were plentiful and cooks were skilled in candy-making. Others trace it back to European nut toffees. Either way, this classic candy recipe has stood the test of time, becoming a holiday staple and a nostalgic favorite for generations.
The Magic of Making Peanut Brittle
What makes homemade peanut brittle so irresistible is the transformation that happens in the pot. You start with simple ingredients—sugar, corn syrup, butter, baking soda, and roasted peanuts—and slowly heat them until they bubble and turn a rich amber color. The moment the baking soda hits, it foams and aerates the candy, giving that signature light, crisp texture.
There’s a thrill to it—timing is everything. Consequently, if you pour too soon, it turns out chewy. Wait too long, and it hardens too fast. But when you get it right, you’re rewarded with that perfect crunch and caramel sweetness, balanced by the toasty nuttiness of peanuts.
Science note: This reaction occurs because when adding baking soda to hot caramel, the acids in the corn syrup react with the baking soda producing CO2 gas and making the mixture more alkaline. This gas gets trapped in the mixture as tiny bubbles, giving the final product a light and crunchy texture.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Brittle
- Use a candy thermometer: Aim for 300°F (hard crack stage). Precision is key.
- Warm your baking sheet: This helps spread the candy evenly before it cools.
- Add the baking soda last: It creates the light, airy texture brittle is known for.
- Break it up creatively: Once cooled, crack it into rustic shards or neat squares—there’s no wrong way!
Ingredients and Tip
- Corn Syrup- Corn syrup is important for the base of the brittles, sponges, and honeycombs. This is because it is an inverted syrup, which is a mixture between monosaccharide glucose and fructose. This is important because it prevents crystallization. This produces a smooth and glossy texture. Without corn syrup, the peanut brittle is more likely to turn grainy. Corn syrup also slows the time of setting for candies, which give more work time.
- Peanuts- Peanuts is one of my favorite nuts and my favorite nut to use in brittles. I feel like the texture is perfect and gives the proper snap. Because the peanut are technically boiled in the sugar syrup mixture it provides peanut brittle with flavor we know and love.
Note: You can use cashews, pecans, and any other nut of your choice for this recipe. The taste will change a bit due to the flavor of the nut(s) you choice to substitute or mix-match.
- Baking Soda- Baking soda is essential for making any kind of brittle, sponge, or honeycomb. It is responsible for the light and crunchy texture brittle is known for. Baking soda makes the caramel alkaline and this softens it. This happens because it reacts with the acids in the mixture forming carbon dioxide gas bubbles.
- Butter- Quality ingredients is very important to the flavor of any confection. A quality butter adds flavor along with texture. Essentially the base of peanut brittle is a caramel, and the browning of the butter is very important to get the flavor we expect from a good caramel.
How to Make Peanut Brittle
I have written out the most important parts of this recipe in a step-by-step sequence of images along with the instructions for the Apricot Carrot Bread. You can find the full sequence of instruction in the recipe card below.
1. To a sauce pan over a burner, add the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt.
2. Turn burner to medium heat. Stir mixture until sugar dissolves.
3. Bring mixture to boil and add the peanuts. Test temperature with candy thermometer.
4. Cook mixture while stirring until mixture hits 302 degrees Fahrenheit (Hard Crack stage).
5. Once temperature is achieved, take mixture off of heat. Add butter and baking soda.
6. Mixture will expand and setup quickly.
7. Go ahead and pour mixture on to large parchment paper lined cookie sheet and spread as evenly as possible.
8. Let cool completely. Crack into desired sizes of pieces.
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Peanut Brittle
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Equipment
- large silicone mat or quality parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted peanuts
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare cookie sheet by adding silicone mat or parchment paper, and set aside.
- To a sauce pan over a burner, add the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Turn burner to medium heat. Stir mixture until sugar dissolves.
- Bring mixture to boil and add the peanuts. Test temperature with candy thermometer. Cook mixture while stirring until mixture hits 302 degrees Fahrenheit (Hard Crack stage).
- Once temperature is achieved, take mixture off of heat.
- Add butter and baking soda. Mixture will expand and setup quickly. Go ahead and pour mixture on to prepared large cookie sheet and spread as evenly as possible.
- Let cool completely.
- Crack into desired sizes of pieces.
Nutrition
Serving & Gift Ideas
Peanut brittle makes the ultimate edible gift. Pack it in decorative tins, jars, or small treat bags tied with ribbon. It’s perfect for Christmas candy trays, bake sales, or as a homemade hostess gift. You can even crumble it over ice cream or stir it into cookie dough for a sweet surprise.
Variations to Try
Once you master the classic, experiment a little:
- Swap peanuts for almonds, cashews, or pecans.
- Add a pinch of sea salt or cayenne pepper for contrast.
- Drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a gourmet twist.
