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Easy, Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe with Perfect Snap Guarantee

A stack of golden brown, glossy pieces of homemade peanut brittle recipe piled on a white plate.
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Make classic homemade peanut brittle with a buttery crunch that snaps perfectly every time. This straightforward recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and clear candy thermometer guidance to achieve the hard crack stage reliably.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it or lining it with a silicone mat. Set aside.
  2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Insert a candy thermometer. Do not stir the mixture once it begins to boil.
  4. Cook the syrup without stirring until the temperature reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit (Soft Ball stage).
  5. Add the roasted peanuts to the syrup. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the mixture reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit (Hard Crack stage). This step requires attention to detail.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Quickly stir in the butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam up rapidly.
  7. Pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a heat-safe spatula to spread it thinly and evenly. Work quickly.
  8. Let the brittle cool completely at room temperature until hard, about 30 to 45 minutes.
  9. Once fully cooled and hard, break the peanut brittle into irregular pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer for accuracy; hitting the 300°F hard crack stage is key to achieving the perfect snap.
  • Ensure your baking soda is fresh; this ingredient helps create the airy structure needed for brittle.
  • If you do not have roasted peanuts, you can lightly toast raw peanuts in a dry skillet before starting the recipe.

Nutrition

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