Enjoy the sweet, salty, and delightful crunch of homemade Perfect Peanut Brittle.
As we mature, so do our taste buds. When I was younger, I loved suckers, bubblegum, and Pop Rocks. As an adult, I lean more toward sweets that won’t stain my teeth and tongue, although Twizzlers still have a special place in my heart. One snack, however, that I’ve enjoyed from childhood well into adulthood is peanut brittle.
I remember school fundraisers where peanut brittle was always part of the offerings. Dad sometimes brought some back from company parties. How I loved that sweet and salty taste! Sometimes I would even get a little greedy and eat too much! Yes, peanut brittle was a big part of my childhood—those memories are sweet and simple, yet so profound.
These days, when I’m craving a little nostalgia, I make this peanut brittle recipe to take me on a much-needed trip down memory lane. It has the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, and it doesn’t skimp on that delightful stickiness so characteristic of a good peanut brittle.
At our house it disappears fast, and I’m convinced it will go down a treat with your gang, too!
Delightful tweaks
For even more flavor, you might want to toast the peanuts briefly in an ungreased frying pan before making the brittle. Try mixing in some ginger or a bit of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Want to make this recipe even more decadent? Drizzle the brittle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with delicate sea salt flakes. Stirring in shredded coconut gives the brittle a refreshing change in flavor, too. And no need to stick to peanuts, either. Try any type of nuts, seeds, or a mixture of both.
How do I store leftovers?
Store the brittle in an airtight container or jar with a tight lid at room temperature, and it’ll last for approximately 2 months.
Serving suggestions
Peanut brittle makes a terrific snack, but I also love to make it to give as gifts for the holidays. The sweet, salty, crunchy, and rich taste makes it a favorite for most!
Some yummy additions I like to include in my holiday gift bags are these Delicious Cake Mix Cookie Bars, Soft And Chewy Gingerbread Cookies, and Pecan Snowball Cookies. All these wonderfully sweet treats are perfect for gift-giving.
Perfect Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by preparing a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large nonstick pot, combine sugar and water, stirring until well mixed. Pour the corn syrup into the mixture and give it a good stir, then gently bring it to a boil over medium-low heat stirring every few minutes to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Use a candy thermometer and measure it until it reaches 250°F.
- Pour the peanuts into the mixture and carry on stirring until it reaches a temperature of 300°F.
- Take the pot off the heat and add the butter, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir until it starts to bubble and change consistency.
- Carefully pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow it to cool and set; this should take around 45 minutes.
- Once it has solidified, either cut or break the mixture into pieces and store them in an airtight container.
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