Peanut Brittle is a classic recipe that is the perfect combo of sweet and salty! Simple ingredients and easy steps, make this candy recipe a staple in my house!
Make sure to try my Sponge Candy recipe too! It’s another nostalgic candy recipe I think you will love!
Peanut Brittle Is A Classic Candy!
I always used to shy away from candy making. Any recipe that involved a candy thermometer just made me a little nervous. Turns out, it’s all about trust. I bought myself a reliable candy thermometer, decided to go for it, and I haven’t looked back!
Peanut Brittle is nostalgic treat…a throw-back…old-fashioned, even. But it’s such a classic! The best peanut brittle should be crunchy, sweet, and loaded with peanuts! AND I like to add a little flaked sea salt to amp up the salty/sweet factor.
How to Make Peanut Brittle
Making peanut brittle is actually really easy, but don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you, there is some science happening here!
You cook the sugar, water and corn syrup until it reaches 300°F, which is the hard-crack stage, which is basically like a lolli-pop when it cools. This is where a good candy thermometer comes in handy, it takes any guess work out of candy making. (I use THIS one and it’s simple and works great!)
The thing is, Peanut Brittle is crunchy, but it also is porous and brittle…this is where the baking soda comes in! You stir baking soda right into the mixture after it reaches 300°F, and the acid in the sugar reacts chemically with the alkaline baking soda releasing millions of teeny-tiny bubbles of Carbon Dioxide, that get trapped in the mixture creating the brittle texture. Pretty cool, right?
When you have stirred the baking soda in, you will need to spread the mixture immediately onto a greased, parchment lined baking sheet…or a silicone mat. It will set up very quickly, so work fast!
What Kind of Peanuts Do You Use?Â
I think roasted, salted peanuts are the best in peanut brittle. The salty/sweet combo is amazing. If you don’t like salt, you can absolutely use unsalted.
You could also drizzle the brittle with chocolate to make it extra special!
There is just something to be said for making your own Peanut Brittle from scratch! We love it in my house, and the fact that it only takes a few minutes to make from start to finish means it’s a great recipe for cooks of all skill levels!
PrintPeanut Brittle
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
Cook Time: 12 minutes
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Total Time: 17 minutes
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Yield: 30 pieces 1x
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Category: Candy
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Method: No Bake
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Cuisine: Dessert
Prep Time:
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Print Recipe
PinDescription:
Peanut Brittle is a classic candy recipe that is the perfect combo of sweet and salty!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Karo® Light Corn or Dark Corn Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1–1/2 cups roasted, lightly salted peanuts
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- optional – 2 teaspoons flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Line a 15 X 10-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and coat lightly with nonstick spray, or alternately you can use a silicone mat. Also coat an off-set spatula with nonstick spray for easy spreading. Set aside.
- Combine syrup, sugar, water and butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Once boiling, continue to cook without stirring until temperature reaches 280°F on a candy thermometer.
- Gradually stir in peanuts, stirring until temperature reaches 300°F. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Mixture will foam slightly and become lighter in color.
- Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. With the off-set spatula, spread the mixture evenly to edges. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt, if desired.
- Cool and break into pieces.
Notes:
Store airtight for up to 7 days
Keywords:: candy, peanut brittle, peanuts,
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Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you're not alone, doesn’t it?
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Can I substitute the light corn syrup for dark corn syrup?
★★★★★
You can, yes
I have found NOT spreading the mixture with a spatula increases the air within the brittle and gives you a light and airy brittle! Just rock the pan back and forth to spread it, a few times then leave it alone.
Great tip!!
That looks so gorgeous, I love the reflection on the surface, so delicious. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow this looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you for the great recipe!
Have a great day.
Priyanka