Break off a piece of this Homemade Peanut Brittle and savor the crisp bite and nutty taste of old-fashioned candy—just like Grandma used to make.
Saying that I have a sweet tooth would be an understatement. I love chocolate bars, jelly beans, Swedish fish, Hershey kisses, and just about any type of candy out there. But there are a few problems with this. First of all, I don’t know how to make them myself, which means that I am at the mercy of Big Candy (yes, that’s what I refer to them as). Additionally, these sweet treats are not generally made with top-notch ingredients. And yes, when a mad craving hits, I purposely avoid reading labels. Not a good thing, I know.
That’s why I’m all about making my own candy. It satisfies my sweet tooth, and it puts me in control over what goes into them, which makes me feel better about sharing these goodies with my family. When I make this peanut brittle, I feel like I’m taking part in a long-standing tradition; like I’ve been magically whisked away to the land of Little House on the Prairie (yes, I’m dating myself with that reference), where the family spent evenings around the fire making such treats. Of course, my children don’t lend a hand; they only show up once the brittle has cooled and is ready to eat! But that’s a good thing because otherwise I’d eat it all myself!
This crispy and delightfully toothsome peanut brittle is addictively delicious. My advice? Share it! Wrap it up in cellophane or place it in pretty jars and use it as a holiday gift that will be thoroughly appreciated—not to mention quickly devoured!
Peanut brittle variations
What I’ve made here is your basic brittle. But you can also make a bespoke brittle that caters to your preferences. All it takes is a bit of imagination! First, you can experiment with different nuts: almonds, cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, or pistachios would all work well. Replace the peanuts or add these suggestions for a nut cornucopia (a corNUTopia, if you will). Besides nuts, you can try adding sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, or dark chocolate. For extra flavor, sprinkle in a pinch of flaky sea salt or warming, aromatic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. You can even try stirring in a touch of cocoa powder and some orange zest for a truly special treat!
How do I store leftovers?
After cutting the brittle into small squares, store them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 1 month. Don’t refrigerate your brittle, or it might soften. You can, however, freeze it for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Just make sure to separate the pieces with parchment paper to avoid sticking, and let the candy thaw completely overnight before biting into it.
Serving suggestions
On a rainy afternoon, I love nothing more than cozying up with a good book, a few squares of this peanut brittle, and a warm drink, such as this comforting Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Spice Latte. Of course, you could also chop the brittle finely and sprinkle those sweet morsels of goodness over a bowl of Brown Sugar Ice Cream or Dark Chocolate Ice Cream. I may just have drooled!
Homemade Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Place the sugar and water in a medium pot and stir. Add the corn syrup. Let it come to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
- When it hits 250°F, add the peanuts and stir until it reaches 300°F.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the butter, baking soda, and vanilla, then stir. Watch as the mixture starts to foam and change consistency.
- Carefully and slowly pour the mixture onto the baking sheet. Set aside to cool until it’s set, about 45 minutes.
- Cut or break it apart. Enjoy!
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