Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe

Around the holidays we are always looking for delicious, but easy recipes to share with family, friends and loved ones, including this Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe! It is a classic candy often found at Christmas time but that is easy to make at home.

It is made with just a few simple ingredients, including sugar, corn syrup, water, peanuts, butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Once combined you have a sweet and crunchy candy that is perfect for snacking or gifting.

Although most often made with dry roasted peanuts, you can add whatever type of nut or seed that you prefer. Which is why it is a great candy to make even for those who have a peanut allergy.

Some of the most common peanut substitutions include:

• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pecans
• Macadamia nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds

You can also use a combination of different nuts and seeds to create your unique candy to share with family and friends.

In fact, every December I pull out this recipe and make several batches of it to share with teachers and service workers. Then I will put some in decorative bags to give as stocking stuffers or small thank you gifts at our annual Christmas dinner party.

Best of all this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and one batch makes several edible gift arrangements. So this year, when you are struggling what else you can put on your Christmas Cookie Tray or what to give to that hard to buy for individual, consider this classic candy recipe.

Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups salted roasted peanuts (or unsalted if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this easy peanut brittle recipe is to prepare a large baking sheet. Use the largest one that you have.

Then line it with parchment paper and spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray or coat it in melted butter. This candy sticks to everything, so be liberal about applying it to the surface. Set the pan aside.

Attach a candy thermometer to the edge of a medium size saucepan, being sure the tip of the thermometer is just above the bottom surface. Add sugar, and water to the pan and stir. (See below for a recipe that doesn’t require a candy thermometer and can be made in the microwave.)

Pour the light corn syrup in the pot with the sugar and stir. Place the pot over medium heat, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.

Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the temperature on the candy thermometer reaches 250°F (121°C). *Double check to make sure that the candy thermometer tip is in the liquid but not touching the surface of the pan.

Once the temperature reaches 250°F add the peanuts and stir the mixture constantly until the candy thermometer temperature reaches 300°F (150°C).

Immediately remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in butter, baking soda and vanilla. *Be aware – the mixture will foam significantly.

Warning – The Mixture Will Bubble

Carefully pour the hot peanut brittle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and use an off set spatula or silicone spoon to quickly spread the mixture into an even layer.

Don’t worry if it still looks puffed and a little bubbly at this stage. Once it cools, the surface will smooth out significantly.

Now here is the hard part. You must let it cool completely at room temperature without touching it. This can take anywhere from 1-2 hours.

As soon as it completely hard, and no longer tacky, pick up one corner and begin breaking the candy into 2-3 inch random size pieces.

Storing Instructions

After the peanut brittle has been broken into pieces and is completely cool, store the candy in a covered container in a cool place.

However you do not need to store it in the refrigerator. In fact, it is best not to store it in the refrigerator as the moisture will soften the peanut brittle.

Instead, store it in a cool place at room temperature. This will help maintain the texture of the peanut brittle.

Share It As An Edible Gift

When sharing it as a gift, place the brittle in a plastic bag, tied at the top with a twist tie. Or place it in a tin or plastic container, with wax paper placed between the layers. This will help prevent the pieces from sticking together.

Microwave Instructions

If you are looking to make an even easier version, without the worry of using a candy thermometer, try this Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe.

Just remember, that all microwaves cook at different rates. Therefore, it is best to give the recipe a practice run to know exactly how your microwave cooks before making a large batch.

Other Classic Christmas Treats

I often add peanut brittle to my Christmas Cookie Trays that I assemble and share with family and friends. So I thought I would include some other favorite recipe ideas that can be added to the cookie tray as well.

1. Lofthouse Cookies
2. Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe
3. Thumbprint Jam Cookies
4. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
5. 3 Ingredient Fudge
6. Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
7. Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
8. Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
9. Hot Cocoa Cookies
10. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
11. No Bake Monster Cookie Bites

ENJOY! Mary

To receive our 3 Recipe Articles in your inbox each week, sign up for our free email list located in the middle of each recipe or email me at contact@makeyourmeals.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest. This article may contain affiliate links where a small commission is paid if you purchase a product at no additional cost to you.