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Easy, Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe with Perfect Snap

A stack of broken, shiny pieces of homemade peanut brittle recipe on a white plate.
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Make classic, crunchy peanut brittle at home. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a candy thermometer guide to help you achieve the perfect hard crack texture every time. It is a sweet and salty treat ideal for gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease a large baking sheet with butter or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed, large saucepan. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Insert a candy thermometer. Do not stir the mixture once it begins to boil.
  4. Cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius), the soft-ball stage. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Add the roasted peanuts to the syrup mixture. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius), the hard-crack stage.
  6. Immediately remove the pan from the heat. Quickly stir in the baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt. The mixture will foam up rapidly. Work fast.
  7. Pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Do not spread it with a spatula; let it flow naturally.
  8. Allow the brittle to cool completely, about 30 minutes, until it is hard and brittle.
  9. Once cool, break the peanut brittle into irregular pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer for accuracy; reaching the hard-crack stage (300°F/149°C) is essential for a perfect snap.
  • Ensure your baking sheet is ready before the syrup reaches the final temperature, as the final steps must be done quickly.
  • If you do not have roasted peanuts, you can lightly toast raw peanuts in a dry pan before starting the recipe.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/easy-old-fashioned-peanut-brittle-recipe/