Peanut brittle has always been a favorite in my family. I remember my Grandmother would make it right before every Christmas to give to friends as gifts. Then, Mama began making it to take to her office during the holidays and for gifts to friends and neighbors. I’d watch them as they quickly made their brittle, standing at a safe distance away from the molten magic until it had cooled enough for sampling.
The peanut brittle making tradition has now come full circle.
I’ve started making it before Christmas for my family as well as to give as gifts to friends early in the holiday season. As I do, Little Buddy stands at the edge of the kitchen counter watching as a few simple ingredients quickly become a delicious, hard concoction.
He loves to be the first one to break the brittle once it has cooled and nibble on small bites, letting them melt in his mouth instead of crunching down on them like I do impatiently.
Rich, buttery and absolutely delicious, this peanut brittle recipe is one that my family loves. The original recipe includes to use raw peanuts in your brittle, but I’ve started cheating just a bit and using cocktail peanuts instead. I have to admit, I think I love that version even more than the original. You can decide which you prefer when you make it, but give the cocktail peanuts a try if you can.
I also recommend having a candy thermometer to make this brittle. They just make candy making all that much easier.
Here my recipe for peanut brittle. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1½ cups cocktail peanuts (or raw peanuts)
- Lightly butter a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
- Add sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt to a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir to combine and then cook over medium heat about three minutes, do not stir. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until mixture reaches 300º F on a candy thermometer. Immediately remove from heat and add butter, baking soda, vanilla and peanuts. Stir quickly to combine and then pour onto buttered baking sheet.
- Spread with the back of a silicon spatula. Allow to cool completely, about 15 minutes.
For other family-favorite candy recipes, you may enjoy:
Enjoy!
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This is gorgeous. I love family recipes! I make peanut brittle in the microwave, not even sure where the recipe came from, probably my mom! Good reminder to make some this holiday!
Thanks so much, Aimee. I love them, too. Nothing like working with those well-loved family recipes, especially around the holidays!
I love peanut brittle! This is a fabulous recipe
Thanks so much, Katrina! I love it, too! I have to make it and quickly package it up to give away or before I know it, I’ll have nibbled on bit after bit until it’s gone!
yum! another great treat to share with guests
My mom has a serious love of peanut brittle. Passing this along to her!
peanut brittle reminds me of my Grandpa… I always put on the Christmas treat list to make…love those memories!
I love peanut brittle around the holidays. This is gorgeous!
Peanut brittle always reminds me of Dad. Your family recipe looks like a beauty, Robyn!
My Grandma makes some wonderful peanut brittle and yours is beautiful! I’ve never tried to make it, I think I will have to change that!
I have not had peanut brittle in a long long time. Too long!
Peanut Brittle is one of my must-haves for the holidays, love your recipe!
I’ve never tried to make peanut brittle, but I sure do love it!
In the midst of cooling it now…is it suppose to be really liquidy when poured into the cooling pan? If I did it right I’m sure I’ll go by all the comments and beleive it’s a good recipe:)