Description
Classic Peanut Brittle is a timeless American dessert featuring crunchy, sweet brittle made with raw peanuts cooked to the perfect hard crack stage. This easy-to-make candy combines sugar, corn syrup, and butter with a touch of vanilla and baking soda to create a foamy, crisp texture that cools into irresistible peanut-studded brittle pieces, perfect for holiday treats or anytime snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it and set it aside to cool the brittle later.
- Combine sugars and water: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, mix the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a boil.
- Add peanuts and cook to hard crack: Stir in the raw peanuts and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) and turns a deep golden color, about 10 to 15 minutes on the stove.
- Remove from heat and add flavorings: Take the pan off the heat and quickly stir in the unsalted butter, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. The mixture will foam; stir vigorously to combine everything evenly.
- Spread and cool: Immediately pour the hot brittle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly but work quickly as it sets fast.
- Break into pieces: Let the brittle cool completely at room temperature. Once hardened, break it into pieces and store them in an airtight container to keep crispy.
Notes
- Be extremely careful when working with hot sugar mixtures as they can cause severe burns.
- For a saltier version, substitute raw peanuts with roasted salted peanuts.
- To add a spicy twist, include a pinch of cayenne pepper while cooking.
