Homemade Peanut Brittle is a sweet, salty, and crunchy candy that is made on the stovetop. It’s one of our favorite edible gifts to give during the holidays.
This vintage recipe costs about $3.36 to make. It makes 16 servings, which is only $0.21 per serving. This Peanut Brittle is one of our favorite old-fashioned recipes, along with our Easy Chocolate Fudge and our Crockpot Candy.
Homemade Peanut Brittle
Buttery, crispy candy pieces with roasted pieces inside of each bite. Homemade Peanut Brittle is better than store-bought any day! It is perfect for wrapping up in a tin to deliver to neighbors, friends, and co-workers during the holidays.
Or if you are like us, we enjoy making this special treat year-round to enjoy! Peanut Brittle is easy to make as long as you make sure to get the candy to the right temperature. Mix the handful of ingredients, cook it, pout it into a baking sheet to cool, and then break into pieces before serving.
Add this Peanut Brittle to your list of things to try this year, and we think you will have a new tradition that may remind you of your Grandma cooking up a batch in her kitchen!
Is peanut brittle bad for you?
Peanut brittle is definitely not on our list of healthy treats! This is a sugary treat to indulge in, but maybe just not every day! There are 277 calories per serving, 45 carbs, and 41 grams of sugar.
Why is my peanut brittle too hard?
When you bite into a piece of peanut brittle, and it is so hard, you feel like you will break your teeth, that is the worst! The most likely cause of this is too much moisture in your candy. Be sure to cook all of the water out of the sugar, corn syrup, and water mixture when cooking it to 300 degrees.
How to make Peanut Brittle recipe:
STEP ONE: First, prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then prep the ingredients.
STEP TWO: Next, cook the sugar mixture. Add the candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
STEP THREE: After the temperature reaches 240 degrees, add the peanuts. Stir constantly. Add the butter, constantly stirring until the thermometer reaches 300 degrees.
STEP FOUR: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add vanilla and baking soda.
STEP FIVE: Finally, pour the candy evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Cool the candy completely before breaking into pieces.
Cook’s Tools:
- baking sheets
- candy thermometer
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring cup
- wooden mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
- large saucepan
How much will this Peanut Brittle recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $3.36
PRICE PER SERVING: $0.21
- 2 cups granulated sugar – $0.46
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.20
- 1 cup water – $0.00
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – $0.34
- 2 cups roasted salted peanuts – $0.98
- 1 cup light corn syrup – $1.36
- 2 teaspoons baking soda – $0.02
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
The Flavor and Recipe Variations
Instead of corny syrup, you can use honey, pancake syrup, agave nectar, and light-colored molasses.
In place of peanuts, you can use almonds, macadamia nuts, and pecans.
How long is it good for:
Serve and Store: Store peanut brittle in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freeze: Cool the brittle completely and then store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: Have your child help break the peanut brittle into pieces. They will love this and can help put the pieces in tins to deliver.
Ages 4-5: Let your little one prep the ingredients. They can help measure them out and pour them into the pot.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child how to read a thermometer. Show them how it works as you mix the sugar mixture.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
More Desserts:
- Brownie Cookies
- Chocolate Glazed Biscuit Donuts
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
- Crockpot Candy
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Death by Chocolate Poke Cake
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Mini Apple Pies
- Rocky Road Fudge
- Quick Monkey Bread from Scratch
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Peanut Brittle
Recipe Cost 3.36 Serving Cost 0.21Equipment
- baking sheets
- candy thermometer
- Liquid measuring cup
- measuring cup
- Wooden mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
- large saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups roasted salted peanuts
Instructions
PREP PAN:
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
PREP INGREDIENTS:
- Measure the peanuts, butter, vanilla, and baking soda and have it ready to add (this recipe moves quickly).
COOK SUGAR MIXTURE:
- Stir together sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
- Cook until the temperature reaches 240 degrees F on the thermometer.
- Add peanuts and constantly stir until the temperature reaches 280 degrees F.
- Add butter and continue to stir constantly until the temperature reaches 300 degrees F.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add vanilla and baking soda, and stir.
POUR CANDY AND FINISH:
- Pour the hot sugar mixture immediately onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Cool the candy completely and then break into pieces.
Kelly Whallon says
Beth, I can’t tell you how much we all love this brittle! My favorite treat at Christmas!! One of the things I thought about working from home, is I wasn’t going to receive your brittle this year. I’m so glad you posted this recipe! Thank you!!!
Jillian says
It make me sad to not be able to carry on this tradition, maybe next year! Tell me how it goes! 🙂
Noelle says
This was so delicious! The perfect peanut buttery flavors and super simple to make!
Jess Jankowski says
We are thrilled it was so easy to make!
LIsalia says
This was so easy to make and EXTRA delicious. I used honey roasted peanuts and LOVED it!
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you loved it! Those honey roasted peanuts are delish!
Rachel says
Made this with half white and half brown sugar. Turned out amazing. So easy, so fluffy and perfect when pouring on cookie sheet. Tastes delicious!
Jess Jankowski says
So glad you were able to make this recipe your own! Thank you for sharing your feedback.