This recipe for homemade peanut brittle is a buttery, crispy confection loaded with roasted peanuts. Break the brittle into bite sized pieces and serve for a simple yet satisfying dessert, or package up your peanut candy for gift giving.
There’s nothing better than homemade candy, some of our favorites include rocky road fudge and buckeye balls. Peanut brittle is also at the top of our list, and it tastes so much better when you make it yourself!
Peanut brittle is my mom’s favorite candy, but to be honest, it’s never really been my thing. I made this recipe for her, and let me tell you, it’s the best peanut brittle EVER. I’ve eaten way too much of it over the last few days, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even like this candy!
Peanut brittle ingredients
This recipe is made with sugar, corn syrup, salt, water, butter, peanuts and baking soda.
How do you make peanut brittle?
Place sugar, corn syrup, water and salt in a large pot, then bring the mixture to a boil. Be sure to clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot so you can monitor the temperature. After the sugar mixture is boiling, add butter and cook until the candy reaches 280 degrees F. Next, add the peanuts and cook the candy until the thermometer reads 305 degrees F. Remove the pot from the heat, then stir in the baking soda. Carefully pour the candy mixture onto a sheet pan, and spread it into a thin layer. Let the brittle cool completely, then break it into pieces and serve.
Tips for peanut brittle
- The trick to making peanut brittle is to get yourself a candy thermometer. This is a necessary tool for successful candy. Luckily, candy thermometers are inexpensive and widely available. Be sure to monitor the temperature of your sugar mixture carefully so that you don’t overcook or undercook the brittle. If you overcook your brittle, it could become bitter or burn, and if you don’t cook it for long enough, it can get sticky.
- Peanut brittle can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Use a bigger pot than you think you need for this recipe, as the sugar mixture expands quite a bit, especially after you add the baking soda.
Recipe FAQs
Baking soda may seem like an odd ingredient to put into candy, but the baking soda creates a ton of tiny air bubbles that improve the texture of the brittle. Don’t be tempted to skip this step!
If your brittle comes out soft, it means it was not cooked to the proper temperature. It is extremely important to use a candy thermometer. You can make sure that your candy thermometer is accurate by placing it in a pot of boiling water, and it will read 212 degrees F if it’s working properly.
Peanut brittle is a hard candy by nature, but it shouldn’t be so hard that it’s difficult to bite into. The baking soda helps with the texture. It is also important to lightly spread the peanut brittle into the sheet pan, then leave it alone. If you spread it too much, some of the air bubbles will be released and you’ll end up with a harder candy.
Flavor Variations
While this candy is delicious as-is, you can change up the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Nuts: Not a fan of peanuts? This recipe will also work well with pecans, almonds, cashews or macadamia nuts.
- Flavorings: Feel free to stir some spices into your brittle such as cinnamon, nutmeg or ground ginger. I’d use no more than 1/2 teaspoon total for spices. You can also do a sweet and spicy brittle by using ground ancho or chipotle chili powder.
- Toppings: Make your candy extra special by dipping the pieces partway into chocolate. I typically use dark or milk chocolate. You can also add some holiday sprinkles for a festive touch!
I love to package peanut brittle in gift tins and give it away to family and friends during the holidays. This candy is so much better than any store bought version I’ve had, and dozens of people ask me for the recipe as soon as they get a taste of this delicious treat!
More delicious candy recipes
- Peppermint Patties
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Candy Cane Hearts
- Crock Pot Candy
- 20 Christmas Candy Recipes
Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup butter cut into slices
- 2 1/4 cups dry roasted peanuts unsalted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
- Place the sugar, corn syrup, salt and water in a large, deep pan. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil. This takes about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the butter to the pan. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 280 degrees F. This takes about 15 minutes.
- Add the peanuts to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring constantly, or until a candy thermometer registers 305 degrees F.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the baking soda.
- Pour the peanut mixture evenly onto the sheet pans. Spread to a 1/4 inch layer.
- Cool, then break into pieces and serve.
Notes
- The trick to making peanut brittle is to get yourself a candy thermometer. This is a necessary tool for successful candy. Luckily, candy thermometers are inexpensive and widely available.
- Peanut brittle can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Use a bigger pot than you think you need for this recipe, as the sugar mixture expands quite a bit, especially after you add the baking soda.
alice says
Does this recipe come out greasy to the touch? My recipe calls for a tablespoon of butter not a cup.
Sara says
No it is not greasy!
Lila says
This brittle is outstanding! I made it to bring to a cookie exchange but it went so quickly will double up the recipe next time.