old-fashioned peanut brittle

Name: Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle
Prep time: 2 h 5 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cup(s) sugar; 2 cup(s) water; 3/4 cup(s) light corn syrup; 3/4 cup(s) dark corn syrup; 1/8 teaspoon(s) salt; 4 cup(s) raw peanuts, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoon(s) butter, unsalted; 1 cup(s) ice water (to test consistency); 1 tablespoon(s) baking soda; 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

(5 RATINGS)

992 Pinches 12 Photos

Shelley Teller

Pittsburgh, PA

Updated on Dec 16, 2022

This Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle is made by my dad every holiday. It can be made up to one month ahead of time. If you don't like peanuts, try pecans or walnuts instead. Note: Be sure to bring to a heat slowly and stir steadily.

Rate

Broken pieces of Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle on a baking pan.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This old-fashioned peanut brittle is so addictive you can't just eat one piece. It's buttery caramel toffee goodness. Sweet and salty, peanut brittle is classic, but you can switch things up by adding pecans or almonds.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 2 Hr 5 Min

cook time 1 Hr 10 Min

method Stove Top

yield makes 3 1/2 pounds

Ingredients

3 cups sugar
2 cups water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups raw peanuts, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
1 cup ice water (to test consistency)
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Make old-fashioned peanut brittle

Step 1

Butter two large, heavy, baking sheets well.

Step 2

Stir the sugar, water, and corn syrups in a heavy, large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. DO NOT RUSH!
Step 3

Increase the heat to high and boil without stirring until a candy thermometer registers 260 degrees F. This should take about 40 minutes. DO NOT RUSH!
Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Mix in the salt, peanuts, and butter. Stir steadily with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir steadily and cook until candy thermometer registers 295 degrees F. This should take about 15 minutes. DO NOT RUSH!
Step 5

When stirring, lift up the spoon. You should get a long string from the spoon to the pan.
Step 6

Lift a string out of the pan and dip it in the ice water. It should crackle, which means the consistency is correct to proceed.
Step 7

Add the baking soda and vanilla to the mixture. Stir briskly. The mixture will foam up.
Step 8

Immediately pour the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheets, dividing evenly, and spreading out as thinly as possible. Let stand until cold and hard.
Step 9

Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
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