There’s just something so magical about homemade candy, isn’t there? Especially when you get to share it with people you love! This Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe is one of those classic treats that just screams “comfort” and “good times.” It’s seriously the BEST when you want something sweet and crunchy.
I remember making this recipe with my grandma every Christmas. The whole house would smell like caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts – pure heaven! We’d spend hours carefully stirring the mixture, trying not to burn it (oops, sometimes we did!), and then the best part: cracking it into pieces! Those are memories I’ll cherish forever. And now, I’m so excited to share my version of this amazing Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe with you!
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Okay, so why *this* peanut brittle recipe? Trust me, you’re gonna love it because:
- It’s surprisingly easy to make! Seriously, don’t let candy-making scare you.
- The crunchy texture is just SO satisfying.
- That sweet and salty combo? Forget about it! Addictive.
- Perfect for gifting (if you can resist eating it all yourself!).
- And it’s THE holiday treat. It just feels like Christmas, ya know?
Simple Ingredients for a Classic Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
The best part? You probably already have most of the stuff you need! Just sugar, corn syrup, peanuts (gotta have those!), butter, baking soda… that’s pretty much it! Each thing plays its part to make the perfect brittle.
The Perfect Sweet and Salty Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Seriously, this is where the magic happens. The sweetness from the caramelized sugar and corn syrup, balanced by the salty peanuts… it’s a flavor explosion! That little bit of salt we add? It just takes it over the top. You HAVE to try it!
Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe Ingredients
Alright, here’s what you’ll need: 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, 2 cups *dry* roasted peanuts (very important!), 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. That’s it!
How to Make This Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Okay, time to get down to business! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on delicious peanut brittle in no time!
Preparing for Your Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
First things first: grab a large cookie sheet. Now, this is SUPER important: spray it *generously* with non-stick cooking spray. I’m talking, like, really coat that thing! Trust me, you do NOT want your brittle sticking. Nobody wants that!
Cooking the Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe Mixture
Alright, in a saucepan (medium heat is your friend here!), mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of water. Stir it until the sugar disappears, then let it come to a boil. Now, here comes the important part: you need a candy thermometer for this! Cook it until it hits 235 degrees F – that’s the “soft ball” stage. It’ll take about 10 minutes.
Next, dump in those peanuts and the salt. Keep stirring, and keep cooking until the thermometer hits 300 to 310 degrees F (the “hard crack” stage). This will take another 10 minutes-ish, but WATCH IT CAREFULLY! It can burn quickly!
Finishing Your Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Take the pan off the heat. Now, QUICKLY stir in the butter and baking soda. It’s gonna bubble up like crazy – don’t freak out, that’s what it’s supposed to do! Just stir it until everything’s mixed well.
Pour that hot mixture onto your prepared cookie sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out as thin as you can. Careful, it’s HOT!
Cooling and Storing Your Homemade Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Let the brittle cool completely. I usually give it about 30 minutes, until it’s cool to the touch. Once it’s cool, just lift it up and start breaking it into pieces. This is the fun part!
To store it, just pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep at room temperature for a couple of months… but let’s be real, it’ll probably be gone way before then!
Tips for the Best Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Want to make sure your peanut brittle is totally perfect? Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years:
- Candy thermometer is a MUST! Seriously, don’t even try it without one. It’s the only way to know you’ve hit the right temps.
- Stir, stir, stir! Especially once you add the peanuts. You don’t want those little guys burning on the bottom.
- Don’t overcook it! Burnt sugar is NOT your friend. Take it off the heat as soon as it hits that hard crack stage.
- Work fast! Once you add the butter and baking soda, things move quickly. Have everything ready to go!
Follow these, and you’ll be a peanut brittle pro in no time!
Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe Variations
Okay, so you’ve nailed the classic version? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy, shall we? The best thing about this Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe is how easy it is to tweak and make your own. Here are some ideas:
- Swap out the peanuts! Cashews or almonds would be amazing.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a little kick!
- Drizzle with melted chocolate after it cools? YES, please!
Seriously, don’t be afraid to play around! It’s hard to mess this up, I promise!
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Got questions about making this Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe? I got you! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked:
Why is my brittle sticky? Ah, the dreaded sticky brittle! That usually means it didn’t get cooked to a high enough temperature. Make sure you’re hitting that 300-310°F range (hard crack stage) on your candy thermometer!
How do I prevent burning my peanut brittle? Burning is a BUMMER, right? The key is to stir constantly, especially towards the end. Also, keep a close eye on that thermometer, and don’t be afraid to take it off the heat a *little* early if it looks like it’s getting too dark.
Can I use salted peanuts in this recipe? You *can*, but I don’t recommend it! The recipe already calls for salt, and salted peanuts might make it *too* salty. If you *do* use salted peanuts, you might wanna skip the extra 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
How long does peanut brittle last? Properly stored in an airtight container, your peanut brittle should last for up to 2 months. Though honestly, in my house, it vanishes way faster than that!
Can I make peanut brittle without a candy thermometer? Okay, I’m gonna be real with you: it’s really, REALLY hard. A candy thermometer is the best way to ensure you’re cooking the brittle to the right stage. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you *could* try the cold water test (dropping a bit of the hot mixture into cold water and seeing if it forms a hard, brittle thread). But seriously, get a thermometer. It’s worth it!
Storing Your Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Okay, so you’ve made this amazing Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe, and you wanna keep it fresh, right? The key is to store it in an airtight container. Seriously, that’s it! This keeps the moisture out and prevents it from getting sticky. I usually layer mine between sheets of parchment paper, just to be extra safe from sticking!
Nutritional Information for Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
Just a heads-up: the nutrition info can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. So, take it with a grain of salt, okay? It’s just an estimate!
Enjoyed This Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe?
So, did you love this Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe as much as I do? I really hope you did! If you gave it a try, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! And hey, if you’re feeling extra generous, give it a rating! Sharing is caring, so feel free to share this recipe with your friends on social media, too!
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Irresistible Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe in 30 Minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 20 pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Homemade Peanut Brittle is perfect for making and sharing. A crunchy candy layer is loaded with roasted peanuts for a sweet and salty treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare a large cookie sheet by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of water on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook until the candy thermometer reaches 235 degrees F (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes.
- Add in the peanuts and salt. Cook until the candy thermometer reaches 300 to 310 degrees F (hard crack stage), stirring constantly, about 10 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and add in the butter and baking soda; stir to blend. The mixture will bubble up.
- Pour the brittle mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread it out with a spatula and allow the brittle to cool for about 30 minutes until it is cool to the touch.
- Once cooled completely, lift the brittle up and break it into pieces. Store covered at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a generous amount of cooking spray.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep for 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 219kcal
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 146mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
