If you have a sweet tooth and a love for crunchy, nutty treats, you are going to adore this Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts that creates a crisp candy perfect for snacking, gifting, or adding a nostalgic twist to your dessert lineup. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way it balances sweetness with a satisfying crunch, making it a timeless treat everyone will appreciate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing this Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role in developing flavor, texture, and that perfect golden color that brittle enthusiasts crave.
- Granulated sugar: This forms the sweet, caramelized base that hardens into the brittle’s signature crunch.
- Light corn syrup: Helps prevent crystallization, ensuring a silky smooth finish without graininess.
- Water: Dilutes the sugar mixture for even cooking and helps dissolve all the sugar.
- Raw peanuts: Provide a hearty crunch and rich, roasted flavor once cooked in the sugar syrup.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a creamy richness that softens the edges and enhances flavor depth.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a warm, aromatic undertone that complements the caramel and peanut flavors.
- Baking soda: Creates tiny bubbles that lighten the brittle’s texture, making it easier to bite.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the overall flavor, preventing the brittle from tasting flat.
How to Make Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by lining a baking sheet with either parchment paper or a silicone mat. This setup makes sure your brittle won’t stick and allows it to cool evenly once poured.
Step 2: Combine the Sugar Mixture
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. This is the base where all the magic begins—watch closely to prevent burning.
Step 3: Add the Peanuts and Cook to Hard Crack Stage
Stir in the raw peanuts, then continue cooking the mixture, stirring frequently. You’ll want to reach a deep golden color and a temperature of 300°F, also called the hard crack stage—this usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. This stage ensures your brittle will harden perfectly crisp and hold its shape.
Step 4: Incorporate Butter, Vanilla, Salt, and Baking Soda
Remove the pan from heat, then quickly stir in the butter, vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. The mixture will foam up dramatically—be sure to stir swiftly to combine everything evenly. The baking soda creates tiny bubbles that make the brittle lighter in texture, a neat trick that transforms this treat into something extra special.
Step 5: Spread and Cool the Brittle
Immediately pour the foamy mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Let it cool completely at room temperature, around 30 to 45 minutes, until it hardens into that satisfying brittle texture.
Step 6: Break into Pieces and Store
Once cooled, break the peanut brittle into pieces of your desired size. Store them in an airtight container to keep your sweet snacks fresh and crunchy for days.
How to Serve Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe
Garnishes
While classic peanut brittle is delightful on its own, you can enhance presentation with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of sea salt to add a little visual interest and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
Serve your peanut brittle alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a creamy latte. Its sweet crunch pairs beautifully with warm, comforting beverages, making snack time feel like a cozy moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Break the brittle into small shards and include it as a crunchy garnish on ice cream or pudding. Another fun idea is to package chunks as charming homemade gifts wrapped in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon—nothing beats giving friends and family a taste of your kitchen’s warmth.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover peanut brittle fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid the fridge, as moisture can soften the brittle, causing it to lose that perfect crunch.
Freezing
You can freeze peanut brittle by placing it in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container. When wrapped properly, it should keep well for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving to regain that crisp texture.
Reheating
Peanut brittle is best enjoyed as is, without reheating. If it has softened slightly, a brief crisping in a low oven (around 250°F) for 5 minutes can help restore some crunch—just watch closely to avoid burning.
FAQs
Can I use roasted peanuts instead of raw peanuts?
While you can use roasted peanuts, raw peanuts are best for this recipe as they roast further in the sugar mixture, enhancing flavor and texture. Using roasted peanuts may result in a slightly different taste and less crispness.
Why do I need to reach the hard crack stage?
The hard crack stage, at around 300°F, ensures the sugar syrup cools into a firm, brittle candy. If cooked less, the brittle will be too soft and chewy instead of crisp.
What does the baking soda do in peanut brittle?
Baking soda reacts with the hot sugar to create bubbles, which aerates the brittle. This makes it lighter and easier to bite, preventing it from being too dense.
How do I prevent the sugar mixture from crystallizing?
Using corn syrup helps prevent crystallization. Also, avoid stirring the mixture once it starts boiling vigorously and cook it over medium heat to maintain control.
Can I substitute the butter with something else?
Butter adds flavor and smoothness, but you can use margarine or coconut oil in equal amounts as a substitute. Just know this will slightly change the flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
Making your own candy might feel intimidating, but this Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe proves how accessible and rewarding it can be. It’s a nostalgic treat that’s impressively simple to whip up, and sharing it with loved ones adds extra sweetness to any occasion. Give it a try—you’ll soon understand why peanut brittle holds such a special place in the world of homemade sweets.
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Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Description
Classic Peanut Brittle is a traditional American sweet treat made by cooking sugar and corn syrup to the hard crack stage and combining with crunchy raw peanuts, butter, vanilla, and baking soda. This homemade candy recipe yields a delightfully crispy and golden nut brittle with a perfect balance of sweetness and nutty flavor, ideal for holiday gifting or snacking.
Ingredients
Peanut Brittle Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup raw peanuts (shelled, skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and set aside to cool the brittle once cooked.
- Cook Sugar Mixture: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Add Peanuts and Continue Cooking: Stir in the raw peanuts and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the mixture reaches a deep golden color and 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Incorporate Butter and Flavorings: Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the unsalted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. The mixture will foam up due to the baking soda, so stir rapidly to combine evenly.
- Spread the Brittle: Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer for uniform thickness.
- Cool and Break: Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until hardened. Then, break it into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use raw peanuts for the best flavor and crunchy texture in the brittle.
- Do not leave the saucepan unattended while cooking as the sugar mixture can burn quickly.
- Adding baking soda creates bubbles that aerate the brittle, making it lighter and easier to bite.
