Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe

If you’ve ever craved a crunchy, sweet, and buttery treat that just melts in your mouth, you’re in for a real delight with this Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out—the balance of caramelized sugar with crunchy peanuts is just unbeatable, and I’m excited to share all my tips to make sure your batch comes out flawless every time. Stick with me, and by the end, you’ll have a homemade peanut brittle that’s head and shoulders above anything store-bought!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together perfectly to create that rich, caramel flavor and crispy texture you want in your peanut brittle. Pay attention to quality here—fresh peanuts and a reliable thermometer will be your best friends.

• Granulated sugar: The base for your caramel; makes the brittle sweet and crisp.
• Light corn syrup: Keeps the sugar from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth caramel.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar for even cooking.
• Raw peanuts: I like to use raw peanuts so they roast perfectly in the candy; no need to pre-roast.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Adds a rich, silky finish to the brittle.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash for extra depth and warmth.
• Baking soda: This is a game changer—it aerates the brittle, making it light and easier to bite into.

Variations

I love how peanut brittle is such a versatile treat. Over the years, I’ve played around with flavors and nuts, and I encourage you to make this recipe your own. Don’t be afraid to try out different twists that suit your taste or dietary needs.

• Nut Swaps: I once swapped peanuts for almonds and loved the slightly different crunch and flavor—it’s a great way to mix things up.
• Spiced Brittle: Adding a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon gave my batch a surprising kick that my family couldn’t get enough of.
• Salted Caramel: Sprinkling flaky sea salt on top right after spreading the brittle creates a perfect sweet-salty contrast that I always go back to.
• Dairy-Free: You can replace unsalted butter with coconut oil to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing richness.

How to Make Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace Like a Pro

First things first: line an 11×15-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside—this is where your hot brittle will cool into its perfect shape. Having everything prepped and ready helps because once that sugar mixture hits the hard crack stage, things move fast.

Step 2: Cook the Sugar Mixture to 250°F

In a heavy-bottomed 3-4 quart pan, stir together sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Cook this over medium heat, gently stirring until the sugar dissolves. Now, here’s the trick: you want to bring this to 250°F, the “soft ball” stage, which usually takes around 20-25 minutes. I always use a candy thermometer—trust me, eyeballing it never works!

Step 3: Add Peanuts and Cook to 300°F

Once your mixture reaches 250°F, stir in the raw peanuts. Now keep cooking, stirring frequently so the peanuts roast evenly and coat well, until the temperature hits 300°F, the hard crack stage. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes. This step really determines your brittle’s perfect crunch, so patience here is key.

Step 4: Stir in Butter, Vanilla, and Baking Soda

Take your pan off the heat and immediately stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble and foam—that’s exactly what you want! This is the step I learned makes all the difference; the baking soda adds tiny air bubbles that lighten the brittle’s texture, making it less dense and easier to break.

Step 5: Pour and Spread the Brittle

Quickly pour the foamy mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. You want to spread it out evenly but not too thin—about 1/4 inch thickness works great. Use an offset spatula or a buttered spoon to help here. Working quickly is crucial because the brittle sets fast!

Step 6: Cool and Break Into Pieces

Let the peanut brittle cool completely at room temperature, about an hour. Once hardened, simply break into chunks—won’t this be fun? I like keeping the pieces a bit irregular for a homemade feel, plus it helps with portion sizes for sharing or snacking.

How to Serve Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe

Garnishes

While peanut brittle shines on its own, I sometimes sprinkle flaky sea salt on top right after pouring—it adds that lovely salty kick I adore. For a festive touch, I’ve also tried drizzling melted dark chocolate over cooled brittle, which impresses guests every time.

Side Dishes

I often serve this crunchy treat alongside a cozy cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk—it’s such a nostalgic combo. It also makes a perfect finish to holiday dinners or potlucks without needing much else on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I like packing broken brittle pieces into clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon—it looks like a fancy, homemade gift. Sometimes, I place smaller brittle shards in pretty jars with a handwritten recipe card, and that always makes me smile when passing them out to friends.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. I’ve found that using parchment or wax paper between layers helps prevent sticking. Stored properly, it stays crisp and delicious for weeks, making it fantastic for snacking anytime.

Freezing

Freezing peanut brittle isn’t something I often do since it keeps so well on the counter, but if I have extras, I wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When thawed, it retains its crunch perfectly—just bring to room temp before enjoying.

Reheating

Reheating brittle isn’t usually necessary, but if your pieces soften due to humidity, a short stint in a warm oven (around 250°F for 5 minutes) helps crisp them back up. Just watch closely to avoid melting!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making peanut brittle from scratch feels like such a special treat, and I love how this Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe strikes that beautiful balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy every single time. It’s a recipe I keep coming back to because it’s reliable, delicious, and reminds me of cozy moments in the kitchen with loved ones. Give it a try—I’m confident you’ll be just as hooked as I am!

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