How to make Peanut Brittle (2024)

Buttery, crunchy, sweet and salty delicious peanut brittle is the best holiday treat. It's pretty easy when you have all the essentials and a few tips and tricks. You'll have it down in no time. With this step by step tutorial on how to make peanut brittle.

WHAT IS PEANUT BRITTLE

Peanut Brittle is a caramel like candy boiled to the hard crack temperature with nuts added. Typically its your standard peanut added, but some use any combination of nuts.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

• PEANUTS
• SUGAR
• WATER
• BUTTER
• LIGHT CORN SYRUP
• BAKING SODA
• VANILLA
• COARSE SEA SALT

WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED?

• HEAVY BOTTOM PAN
• THERMOMETER THAT CAN REACH HIGH TEMPS FOR CANDY
• SILICONE SPATUAL OR WOOD SPOON THAT CAN WITHSTAND HIGH TEMPS
• A PARCHMENT, SILICONE LINED OR GREASED SHEET PAN

HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BRITTLE

This recipe is really pretty simple! I have two major tips for you

1. have your candy thermometer ready
2. have your ingredients pre-measured out

FIRST STEIPS IN HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BRITTLE

• In a heavy bottom pan on medium heat add your butter, sugar, water, corn syrup.
• Stir until the butter is melted and it starts to come to a boil.

Keep your pan over medium heat and let it keep boiling, stirring occasionally. When it starts to turn a caramel color start checking the temp occasionally. This process will take the longest part. Plan on 15-30 minutes from start to finish.

If you have a thermometer that can clip onto the side of the pan insert that when it starts boiling.

PROTIP: If you are putting the thermometer in and out make sure to clean it before re-inserting it. I just keep a damp towel beside me.

REMOVE FROM HEAT WHEN IT REACHES 300

Take the pan off the heat and this is when you need to act VERY quickly because the peanut brittle will cool very quickly.

1. Stir in your baking soda. It will foam up when you add it.
2. Add in vanilla.
3. Stir in peanuts.

Again, do this part very quickly. Vigorously stirring.

QUICKLY POUR ON A COOKIE SHEET/JELLY ROLL PAN.

• You will want the cookie sheet to be non-stick. Use parchment paper, a silicone baking sheet or a greased cookie sheet.
• Spread the peanut brittle as thin as you can.
• Immediately add your sea salt.

LET IT COOL!

Before it will crack it needs to cool completely. Then use your hands and just break it into pieces.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF MY PEANUT BRITTLE IS SOFT?

If your peanut brittle is soft that means it did not cook it a high enough temperature, where the sugar heated up to the "hard crack" stage. Your brittle is still edible though! They're just technically called peanut chews now.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF IT IS TOO HARD?

Then your peanut brittle was cooked past the temp 300.

DO I HAVE TO REFRIGERATE IT?

No, The peanut brittle can be stored at room temp! Just keep it wrapped tight.

HOW LONG WILL PEANUT BRITTLE LAST?

Wrapped in an airtight container it will keep for about 2 months!

LOOKING FOR OTHER FUN HOLIDAY TREATS? TRY THESE!!

• FUDGE
• ENGLISH TOFFEE
• SOFT CHEWY CARAMELS
• PEPPERMINT FUDGE

OR THESE ARE FUN TOO!

• PEPPERMINT MILKSHAKE (CHICKFILA COPYCAT)
• MOCK WINTER SANGRIA

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

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