Peanut Brittle Recipe | Classic Homemade Peanut Brittle (2024)

Jump to Recipe

I have fond memories of growing up and eating delicious treats during the holidays. My mom made three amazing candies every year. We also had old-fashioned fudge, Almond Roca, and of course classic peanut brittle. I think my love of candy and treats came from my mom. Thanks, mom!

While we are on the topic of holidays, we always had this amazing homemade cinnamon raisin bread. Either she would make it, or I would make it. But this post is all about classic old-fashioned peanut brittle.

Peanut brittle is one of the most popular treats to have during the holidays. It is a quintessential holiday candy. And it is fairly easy to make too, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

In order to make classic old-fashioned peanut brittle you need just a handful of ingredients:

• Sugar – Use normal white granulated sugar.
• Corn syrup – Light corn syrup is the best to use. Glucose syrup will work as well. I haven’t tried agave nector, brown rice syrup, or golden syrup, but those may work as well. The corn syrup helps prevent the sugar from crystalizing. Making a better nut brittle.
• Water – I always use filtered water, because my tap water is gross.
• Salt – It will enhance the flavor.
• Peanuts – Raw peanuts are the best to use, but those can be hard to find, so dry roasted peanuts can always be used.
• Butter – This will add flavor! Use salted or unsalted butter.
• Baking soda – The baking soda makes the brittle lighter and more airy it is a key ingredient in peanut brittle. Don’t leave it out, and don’t use baking powder.
• Vanilla extract – This adds flavor.

Tools

• Candy thermometer
• Large pot
• Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
• Forks
• Sheet pan
• Cooking spray, shortening, or butter, or parchment paper

Step 2: How to make homemade peanut brittle

First, measure out all your ingredients. You want to have them handy and ready to go. Otherwise, you will waste time trying to measure, and your peanut brittle might burn in the process.

Prepare a sheet pan by either buttering it, spraying it with cooking spray, or laying down a sheet of parchment paper. You can also use a cookie sheet as well.

Add a medium or heavy bottom pot to the stovetop burner. Set the heat to medium. Do not be tempted to set the heat higher than that.

Add the sugar, salt, and corn syrup to the pot.

NOTE: If you are using raw peanuts at those at this time as well. Dry roasted peanuts will be added later.

Stir the sugar and corn syrup occasionally until the temp starts to boil and reaches around 250 F/121 C. If sugar crystals are stuck to the side of the pot, use a basting brush dipped in warm water and brush the sugar down.

NOTE: It is essential that you use some sort of candy thermometer or even a meat thermometer will work.

Once it reaches that temperature, add the dry roasted peanuts andstir constantlythe remaining time. If you don’t stir constantly the candy will burn.

It will take about 20 minutes total cooking time from start to finish. Keep stirring and heating until the candy reaches the hard crack stage (300 to 310F/148 to 154C)

Step 3: Finish the classic peanut brittle

Once the peanut brittle gets to between 300 F and 310 F remove it from the heat and turn the heat off. Quickly add the butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. It will bubble up on you most likely. This will change the texture a bit and give it that classic peanut brittle texture and taste.

Once completely mixed in, pour it out onto your prepared sheet pan or cooking sheet. Use forks to spread it apart making the candy thinner. Also, this allows you to even out the peanuts.

Allow the fresh homemade peanut brittle time to cool completely. At least 30 minutes.

Now you can break the peanut brittle apart into smaller pieces and serve it. You can place pieces in small mason jars or other containers and give them as gifts if you like. They make great gifts.

Enjoy your homemade peanut brittle!

How long does homemade peanut brittle last?

If stored in an airtight container it will last 4 to 6 weeks. But I doubt it will go past a week, haha. Do not store it in the fridge.

Here are other holiday recipes you may enjoy:

Christmas Crack

Candied Pecans

Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn Balls

Hot Chocolate Bombs

Do you like the recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Check out my other website101 Creative Datesfor fun date ideas. Food and dating go hand in hand!

Tags

candy crunchy hard holidays sweet

10 Comments

1. Mary jacobson

   December 23, 2023 at 7:19 am·Reply

   
   Why can’t we double the receipe

   See Also

   Salted Caramel Brownies Recipe

   • Matt Taylor

     December 23, 2023 at 7:36 am·Reply

     Huh? Who said that? I never said you couldn’t double the recipe. Yes you can double the recipe just fine. Just double all the ingredients.

2. Diana Pfender

   December 17, 2022 at 8:36 am·Reply

   
   Hi Matt! This is an awesome recipe that takes me back to the yearly Baking Days with my BFF and her family. I have a microwave version I’ll share with you. It’s GF, DF and yummy.

   Microwave Peanut Brittle
   Ingredients
   • 1 cup Sugar in the Raw
   • ½ cup Rice Syrup
   • 1 cup salted peanuts
   • 1 teaspoon Earth Balance
   • 1 teaspoon Madagascar Vanilla Extract
   • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, Bob’s Red Mill
   Directions
   1. Grease a cookie sheet; set aside. Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl.
   2. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes more. Stir in butter and vanilla: microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
   3. Stir in baking soda until light and foamy; immediately pour onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread thin. Cool completely. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

   • Matt Taylor

     December 17, 2022 at 8:42 am·Reply

     Thanks!! 🙂 Fun easy microwave version!

3. Natasha

   November 18, 2021 at 12:35 am·Reply

   
   My kids love this peanut brittle! I’ll probably share it with some family and friends this holiday season too for giveaways. Thanks for this awesome recipe.

   • Matt Taylor

     November 18, 2021 at 7:48 am·Reply

     So glad you like it!! You are welcome, Natasha!

4. Lisalia

   November 16, 2021 at 10:27 am·Reply

   
   Matt your classic recipes never disappoint! This was so good – we drizzled chocolate over top too because I just felt a bit creative. It turned out perfectly and will add this treat to our neighborhood cookie exchange next month. Thanks!

   • Matt Taylor

     November 16, 2021 at 10:38 am·Reply

     Thank you so much! 🙂 You are welcome!

5. Kristyn

   November 16, 2021 at 8:45 am·Reply

   
   My family loves peanut brittle!! We love adding it to goodie plates to deliver.

   • Matt Taylor

     November 16, 2021 at 8:46 am·Reply

     Yes! So yummy and makes perfect gifts.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.