Description
This classic Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle recipe delivers a perfectly crunchy and sweet candy loaded with roasted peanuts. Made by boiling sugar syrup to the hard crack stage and then quickly mixing in butter and baking soda, this peanut brittle is a nostalgic treat perfect for snacking or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup peanuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients and Pan: Measure out all ingredients before starting to cook. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet or line it with a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking, and set aside.
- Make Sugar Syrup: Combine the white sugar, light corn syrup, water, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Stir the mixture gently until the sugar completely dissolves and it comes to a boil, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Add Peanuts and Cook to Hard Crack Stage: Stir in the peanuts, attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan, and continue cooking the mixture. Stir occasionally but avoid over-stirring to prevent graining. Cook until the temperature reaches between 300°F and 310°F (150°C to 155°C), the hard crack stage.
- Finish the Brittle Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat. Quickly stir in the unsalted butter and baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly.
- Pour and Shape: Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use two forks quickly to lift and pull the mixture into a roughly 12 by 14-inch rectangle, spreading it evenly.
- Cool and Break: Allow the brittle to cool completely and become firm, which takes at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, use a mallet to break it into bite-sized pieces.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your peanut brittle is ready to enjoy as a sweet crunchy treat or gift to loved ones.
Notes
- Using a silicone baking mat on the baking sheet can help prevent sticking and make it easier to remove the brittle.
- For a unique twist, substitute macadamia nuts for peanuts to create a gourmet version perfect for gift-giving.
- Ensure the mixture reaches the proper hard crack temperature for the correct brittle texture.
- Work quickly when pouring and shaping as the mixture hardens fast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (about 28g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
