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Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle

This recipe is more than just a sweet treat – it's a culinary adventure that connects you to a beloved traditional candy.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large batch (about 1 pound) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brittle:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups raw peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Begin by preparing your workspace. Grease a large baking sheet with butter or line it with parchment paper. This crucial step prevents the brittle from sticking and makes removal easy.
  2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir the mixture over medium heat, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely. This process takes about 5 minutes, and you'll know it's ready when the liquid becomes clear and smooth.
  3. Carefully increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the bulb is submerged in the syrup but not touching the bottom. This helps you monitor the temperature precisely.
  4. Cook the syrup without stirring until it reaches 280°F, which is known as the soft-crack stage. This is a critical moment in your candy-making journey, so watch the thermometer closely.
  5. Once the syrup hits 280°F, add the raw peanuts to the pot. Gently stir them in, ensuring they're evenly coated with the syrup. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 300°F – the hard-crack stage. At this point, the syrup will turn a rich golden brown, and the peanuts will be perfectly roasted.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up dramatically as the baking soda reacts, creating a light and airy texture in the brittle.
  7. Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out as thinly and evenly as possible. Work quickly, as the brittle will start to set almost immediately.
  8. Allow the peanut brittle to cool completely at room temperature. This should take about 30 minutes. Once fully hardened, break it into pieces with your hands or a mallet.
  • Author: Jamie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes