This super easy seven-ingredient Peanut Brittle is made on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes. This tasty treat is the ultimate sweet and salty combination and it will remind you of the brittle that grandma used to make. It is absolutely delectable and makes for great holiday gift-giving, hostess gifts, and additions to Christmas cookie trays.
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 rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. 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 medium 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 over medium heat stirring very frequently with a wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula 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. Be careful as it will foam up and change texture, Quickly but carefully pour the caramel mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a circle or line and tilt to spread the candy to an even layer. Things go very quickly so have everything ready to go. Let the brittle cool at room temperature before breaking into pieces.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- 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 it to a boil.
- Making candy is a pretty precise business as a chemical reaction is taking place so invest in a candy/deep fry thermometer to achieve the desired texture for this peanut brittle and all your candy recipes. 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.
- Honey or molasses can be substituted for the corn syrup.
- Other nuts that work with this recipe include walnuts, almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, and pistachios.
- This recipe goes very quickly so make sure you have everything measured, close by, and ready to go.
- Please be very careful as the candy mixture gets extremely hot. Wear oven mitts and keep your arms covered. Take precautions to keep children and pets away while you are making candy.
- 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.
More candy recipes you will love!
Homemade Peanut Brittle
An easy-to-make old-fashioned peanut brittle recipe that comes together quickly right on your stovetop. Perfect for the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- 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 unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Cover a baking sheet that has at least a 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 the side of the 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 the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately remove the peanut brittle from the heat and stir in the butter, baking soda, and vanilla. Be careful as it will foam up and change texture, Quickly and carefully pour the caramel in a circle or line and tilt to spread the peanut brittle. Let the brittle cool at room temperature before breaking into pieces.
Notes
- 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 it to a boil.
- Making candy is a pretty precise business as a chemical reaction is taking place so invest in a candy/deep fry thermometer to achieve the desired texture for this peanut brittle and all your candy recipes. 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.
- Honey or molasses can be substituted for the corn syrup.
- Other nuts that work with this recipe include walnuts, almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, and pistachios.
- This recipe goes very quickly so make sure you have everything measured, close by, and ready to go.
- Please be very careful as the candy mixture gets extremely hot. Wear oven mitts and keep your arms covered. Take precautions to keep children and pets away while you are making candy.
- 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.
Keywords: how to make peanut brittle, homemade peanut brittle, easy peanut brittle recipe
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Stephanie
I was recently diagnosed with Alpha Gal and can no longer have dairy. Just out of curiosity I tried this recipe and substituted Earth Balance Olive Oil spread for the butter and this recipe still turned out perfect! Thank you!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Hey, thanks for the tip, Stephanie! My readers appreciate this kind of information.
Connie Pritchett
Could you add coconut to this recipe? I love the old peanut brittle with coconut you used to be able to buy around Christmas. Btw I love your recipes I make several many times. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much. I am not sure, as I have never tried. The internet says that you can spread it on the baking sheet that you pour the brittle onto. Please let us know if you try and what the results are.
Connie Pritchett
Tried it today it was a challenge. I had to buy a fresh coconut to get pieces like I recalled in the old brittle.. lol that was a challenge. I think it tastes a lot like I remember you should try it.I’d send you a picture but don’t see a place to do that.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Cool. I am glad it worked out. You can email me a picture at smalltownwoman.com@gmail.com. I would love to see it.
Sara Welch
Made this for an afternoon treat, and it turned out perfect! Quick, easy and hands down delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!
★★★★★
Catalina
My new favorite Christmas treat! It’s on my list for this year!
★★★★★
Renee B
This brought back such sweet memories of my mom, making peanut brittle for the holidays. Thanks so much for the recipe!
★★★★★
Jess
It’s not the holidays without homemade Peanut Brittle!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
That is so true!
Emily
My family loves peanut brittle! We normally buy it but this homemade version was so much better! Will definitely be making again!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! So glad that you liked it!
Tayler
We made this peanut brittle over the weekend and it turned out perfectly! Definitely making again for Christmas!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tayler! So glad that you liked it!
Barb
What size baking sheet ?
Beth Pierce
Bakers half sheet 13×18
Jennifer
I made this exactly as written and it came out perfect. It was delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jennifer! So glad that you liked it!!
Cynthia
Can you use brown sugar in place of sugar
Beth Pierce
I hesitate to tell you yes because I have not tried it. Candy is a little more precise than some recipes.
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
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.
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.
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.
April
Peanut brittle reminds me of my Grandma <3 Love this recipe – thanks for the nostalgic trip 🙂
★★★★★
Laura Reese
Peanut brittle is such a perfect holiday gift. This recipe comes out Perfect every time!
Erin
I have always been intimidated to make this on my own, but it was so much easier than I thought. And so good!
★★★★★
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.