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Crispy Peanut Treat

Featured in Appetizers & Snacks.

Got this treat just right! Spent about 45 minutes ensuring the sugar turned amber and the peanuts roasted perfectly. A candy thermometer helped hit the exact temp of 300°F. Shared with friends as holiday gifts, and they couldn’t stop raving. Breaking it into pieces is so satisfying!
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Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:24:59 GMT
Broken golden peanut brittle pieces sprinkled with whole peanuts and sea salt, ready to eat. Pin it
Broken golden peanut brittle pieces sprinkled with whole peanuts and sea salt, ready to eat. | tasteofmoms.com

The smell of homemade peanut brittle just fills up your home with wonderful caramel scents. This old-time favorite candy brings together sweet buttery goodness and crunchy roasted peanuts. It's so fun watching the baking soda work its wonders, turning that thick syrup into something light and airy with the perfect snap.

What Makes This So Good

Candy making isn't hard at all - this approach breaks it all down into easy-to-follow steps. Adding baking soda is the key trick that gives you that wonderful airy crunch everyone loves. Stick with the basic version or try switching things up with different nuts or extra toppings.

Ingredients You'll Want

You'll want to grab some decent granulated sugar and light corn syrup as they form the base of your candy. Go for raw peanuts because they'll cook perfectly in the hot mixture. Don't forget some unsalted butter, baking soda for that airy texture, and a splash of vanilla for taste. Just a tiny bit of salt pulls all the flavors together nicely.

The Making Process

First, measure everything out and get your baking sheet ready. Start by heating your sugar with corn syrup until it reaches 250°F, then throw in your peanuts. Keep on stirring while cooking until you hit 300°F - that's when things get exciting. Pull it off the stove, mix in your butter, vanilla, and that important baking soda, then quickly spread it out to cool down. After it hardens completely, just crack it into bite-sized chunks.

Personal Touches

Looking to fancy it up? Try adding some melted chocolate over the top after cooling. You can mix in warm spices like cinnamon if you're making it during the holidays. My personal favorite way to serve it is with a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt while it's still warm - really brings out all the flavors.

Storage Tips

Your brittle should stay nice and crunchy for about two weeks if you keep it in something airtight at room temp. You can actually freeze it too, for up to 3 months - just remember to put parchment between the layers. Oh, and don't try making this on really humid days - the moisture in the air can turn your crispy treat into something sticky.

Pieces of golden caramel brittle scattered on a plate with crunchy almonds and sprinkles of coarse salt on top. Pin it
Pieces of golden caramel brittle scattered on a plate with crunchy almonds and sprinkles of coarse salt on top. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does weather matter for brittle?
Humidity can stop the candy from hardening and leave it sticky. Choose a dry day to get the perfect crack.
→ Why use a candy thermometer?
You need to hit the exact temp, 300°F, for the right firmness. Guessing can mess it up!
→ What does baking soda do?
It makes small air pockets in the mix, keeping it light, easy to snap, and gives that classic crunch.
→ How can I keep brittle fresh?
Seal it in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature. It’ll stay good for about 2 weeks.
→ Why prepare ingredients ahead?
Timing’s everything, so having everything pre-measured means you won’t scramble when it counts.

Crispy Peanut Treat

Crunchy caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts come together for an irresistible sweet and salty bite.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Ashley


Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (1 batch)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure.
02 1/2 teaspoon salt.
03 1 teaspoon baking soda.
04 2 cups raw peanuts.
05 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted.
06 1 cup corn syrup, light.
07 2 cups sugar, granulated.

Instructions

Step 01

Get your baking sheet ready with parchment or a silicone mat. Measure everything out beforehand, and clip a candy thermometer to a sturdy pot.

Step 02

Mix corn syrup and sugar in the pot. Heat it on medium, stir often, and wait for the sugar to dissolve and the mixture to start bubbling.

Step 03

Once the thermometer shows 250°F, throw in the peanuts and stir them nonstop so they don't burn until it hits 300°F.

Step 04

Take the pot off the burner. Quickly mix in the butter, baking soda, and vanilla.

Step 05

Pour everything onto the baking sheet you prepped earlier. Leave it alone for 30-45 minutes to cool fully.

Step 06

Once it’s cool, snap it into pieces and stash them in a tight-sealing container to keep fresh.

Notes

  1. Avoid making this on damp or rainy days.
  2. A candy thermometer is essential.
  3. Keep kids out of the kitchen while cooking.
  4. It’ll stay good for around two weeks.

Tools You'll Need

  • Sturdy pot with heavy bottom.
  • Clip-on candy thermometer.
  • Baking sheet.
  • Parchment paper or silicone mat.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains peanuts.
  • Includes dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 6 g