Description
Sweet memories dance through Grandma’s classic Peanut Brittle recipe, blending caramelized sugar and roasted nuts into a crisp, golden treat. Crafted with love and simple ingredients, you’ll crack this delightful confection into irresistible shards of pure nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups salted roasted peanuts
- 1 cup light corn syrup
Secondary Ingredients:
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
Final Ingredients:
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare a clean, parchment-lined sheet pan to create a smooth surface for candy setting.
- Gather all necessary ingredients and equipment, including a heavy-bottomed saucepan and candy thermometer.
- Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in the saucepan, heating gently over medium flame while stirring intermittently.
- Monitor the sugar mixture carefully, allowing it to transform into a gentle, bubbling liquid without stirring constantly.
- Attach the candy thermometer, ensuring it hovers above the pan’s bottom for accurate temperature reading.
- Continue cooking until the syrup reaches a golden-pale amber color and approaches 250°F, maintaining steady heat.
- Introduce raw peanuts into the molten sugar, stirring consistently to distribute evenly and prevent burning.
- Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture darkens and reaches precisely 300°F, watching for subtle color changes.
- Immediately remove from heat and rapidly incorporate butter, creating a quick, dramatic transformation.
- Swiftly mix in baking soda and vanilla, which will cause the mixture to dramatically foam and lighten in texture.
- Pour the volatile mixture onto the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread quickly and evenly before it begins to set.
- Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 30-45 minutes until fully hardened.
- Crack into irregular, rustic pieces using gentle pressure or the handle of a knife.
- Store in a sealed container, keeping away from humidity to maintain crisp texture.
Notes
- Toast peanuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the brittle.
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent sugar from burning and ensure even heat distribution.
- Monitor temperature carefully with a reliable candy thermometer for perfect texture and consistency.
- Avoid stirring too much during cooking to prevent sugar crystallization and maintain smooth brittle.
- Work quickly when adding final ingredients and spreading, as the mixture hardens
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg