This super easy seven ingredient Peanut Brittle is made on the stove top in less than thirty minutes. It is absolutely delectable and makes for great holiday gift giving. I like to give it along with Party Worthy Eggnog Truffles and Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtles as hostess gifts during the holidays!
Tis the season for sweet homemade gifts! It is also that time of the year when your time gets really precious! This easy to make peanut candy helps get the mission accomplished in no time at all. When stored properly in an airtight container peanut brittle has a shelf life of about two months therefore it can be prepared well in advance of the big day and all of its festivities
How do you make Peanut Brittle?
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Cover a baking sheet (that has a lip all the way around it) with aluminum foil. Likewise you can use a jelly roll pan. Cover the aluminum foil with butter and place in the oven to warm. Warming the pan will help with the spreading of the brittle
Now in a heavy 2.5 or larger quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan and bring the contents of the pan to a boil stirring very frequently to dissolve the sugar. When you reach a boil add the roasted peanuts and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 300 degrees.
Grab the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately remove the peanut brittle from the heat and stir in the butter, baking soda and vanilla. Quickly pour in a circle or line and tilt to spread the candy. Things go very quickly so have everything ready to go.
Helpful tips for making the Best Peanut Brittle
- Buy good quality salted roasted peanuts. You can use unsalted peanuts but add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the pot with the sugar, corn syrup and water before bringing to a boil.
- Making candy is pretty precise business as a chemical reaction is taking place so invest in a candy/deep fry thermometer. They are fairly inexpensive and a necessity for making great candy.
- The purpose of the baking soda is to provide those familiar air pockets in peanut brittle that make it easier to bite down and break easily with your teeth.
- This recipe goes very quickly so make sure you have everything measured, close by and ready to go.
- Don’t skip the step in which you heat the baking sheet while you make the candy. The heated surface really helps spread the candy by tilting and shaking the baking sheet.
Other peanut recipes you will love!
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- White Chocolate Peanut Holiday Haystack Cookies
- Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut Brittle
An easy to make old fashioned peanut brittle recipe that comes together quickly right on your stove top. Perfect for holiday gift giving, parties and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: dessert candy
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/4 cups salted roasted peanuts
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Cover a baking sheet that has at least 1/2 inch rim with aluminum foil. Coat the aluminum foil with butter and place in the oven to warm.
- In a heavy 2.5 or more quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Attach a candy thermometer to side of pan. Bring contents to a boil stirring very frequently to dissolve the sugar. When you reach a boil add the roasted peanuts and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 300 degrees; stirring constantly.
- Remove baking sheet from the oven. Immediately remove the peanut brittle from the heat and stir in the butter, baking soda and vanilla. Quickly pour in a circle or line and tilt to spread the peanut brittle. Allow to fully cool and harden.
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Betsy
Love me some good peanut brittle! Yours is so light and airy! Delightful. Thanks for the tip on heating the jelly roll pan. I have never done that when making peanut brittle before. GREAT tip!
★★★★★
Annie
Can you use parchment paper instead of aluminum foil?
Beth Pierce
Yes but I suggest lightly misting the parchment paper with nonstick spray. Peanut brittle is very sticky.
Erin
I have always been intimidated to make this on my own, but it was so much easier than I thought. And so good!
★★★★★
Laura Reese
Peanut brittle is such a perfect holiday gift. This recipe comes out Perfect every time!
April
Peanut brittle reminds me of my Grandma <3 Love this recipe – thanks for the nostalgic trip 🙂
★★★★★
Maria
Hi, I’ve always been afraid of making candy in the mile-high city, 5280 ft above sea level. How do I convert the temperature?
Beth Pierce
I am not sure Maria as I have never lived in at a high altitude. Perhaps one of the readers will know the answer to this.
Gretchen
So are the 2 tbsp of butter melted on the tray and then poured into the sugar mixture, or is that additional butter?
Beth Pierce
The 2 tablespoons of butter are stirred in with the baking soda and vanilla after the candy has been cooked.
Paula
What is the best cleaning method for the pot after making? I absolutely love your recipes. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beth Pierce
Fill the pot with water and put it on the stovetop. Bring to a boil and most if not all of the mess will come right off.
Sally
Since we moved to Phoenix, I’ve been having a lot of trouble with candy making. I made a lot of candyvwhen we lived in Minnesota, but the altitude here is much lower, and my candies do not set, or remain sticky. What to do?
Beth Pierce
I found this interesting article on Altering Temperatures for Candy making in High Altitude