How to Make Peanut Brittle

Guide Note If it's too late for a run to the candy store, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth. How to Make Peanut Brittle provides basic instructions to create the snack at home, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Table of Contents

Peanut Brittle Tips

  1. Heat the corn syrup, water and sugar in a saucepan until melted, stirring constantly.
  2. Heat the mixture to 300 degrees so it will reach the hard crack stage.
  3. Ensure you stir in the baking soda thoroughly to "puff" the brittle up.
  4. Spread the brittle onto greased baking pans, "pulling" it with forks to the desired thickness.
  5. Let the brittle cool for 30 to 60 minutes before breaking it into pieces.

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Introduction

  • If you crave the delectable combination of salty and sweet, peanut brittle is the ideal candy for you. Create this crunchy blend of peanuts and caramelized sugar to enjoy as a satisfying snack.1 You can also wrap batches in colorful cellophane to hand out as inexpensive holiday gifts.

What You'll Need

  • NOTE: If using the microwave method, halve the ingredients for easier manageability.

Making Peanut Brittle

  • Although individual recipes may differ on the order in which you add the ingredients, following are basic instructions to make 1 1/2 pounds of peanut brittle.

Stovetop Method

  • Bring all of these ingredients and tools to the stove since the cooking process goes rather quickly once the sugar has melted.
  1. Heat sugar, corn syrup and water in saucepan until the sugar dissolves and the temperature reaches 305 degrees.3
  2. Add the butter, stirring until melted.4
  3. Stir in the salt and peanuts with a spatula, distributing them evenly.5
  4. Take the pan off the heat and quickly add the baking soda, stirring until it's well incorporated.6
  5. Press the mixture onto greased baking pans with a spatula.7
  6. Let the brittle cool for up to one hour before breaking it into pieces.9
  7. Store cooled peanut brittle in an airtight container to keep it from sticking.10

Microwave Method

  • Using your microwave is a fast and easy way to make this traditional treat.
  1. Grease the baking sheet.11
  2. Combine 1 cup peanuts, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl.12
  3. Microwave on high for 6 to 7 minutes, until mixture is bubbly.13
  4. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter.14
  5. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes.14
  6. Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda until mixture is foamy.13
    • -The more you stir, the darker the finished peanut brittle will be.15
  7. Spread the mixture onto the greased baking sheet.
  8. Let cool completely.
  9. Break the brittle into pieces once the mixture has cooled.16

Tips and Tricks

  • Practice with your cooking techniques and timing to find the best-tasting blend. These tips should ease the process.
  1. Ensure you cook the brittle to the hard crack stage so it won't be too soft or overcooked.17
  2. Consider warming the peanuts before adding them to the mixture so they won't reduce the sugar temperature.18
  3. Grease your baking sheet before you start mixing the peanut brittle so you can pour the brittle mixture onto it as soon as it's ready.16

Variations

  • (Creative Commons photo by Jerine Lay)
    (Creative Commons photo by Jerine Lay)
    Play around with a variety of ingredients to create crunchy peanut brittle with a variety of sweet, spicy and savory taste sensations.
  1. Coat the peanuts in cayenne and cinnamon for peanut brittle with added kick.19
  2. Add vanilla bean and chocolate for a deluxe touch.20
  3. Add peanut butter for a nuttier flavor.21
  4. Substitute margarine for butter if you want a version with less cholesterol.22

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References for How to Make Peanut Brittle

  1. ↑ Kitchen Hints and Tips: Caramelized Sugar
  2. ↑ Organic Kingdom: Baking Pans
  3. ↑ You Tube: Making Fresh Peanut Brittle (Time: 2:06)
  4. ↑ Betty Crocker: Peanut Brittle
  5. ↑ The Nut Factory: Peanut Brittle
  6. ↑ All Recipes: Mom's Best Peanut Brittle
  7. ↑ Recipe Goldmine: Peanut Brittle  WARNING: Pop-ups
  8. ↑ Baking911: Candy Brittle
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Family Fun: Near Instant Peanut Brittle
  10. ↑ Epicurious: Microwave Peanut Brittle
  11. ↑ Old Recipe Book: Microwave Peanut Brittle
  12. ↑ 13.0 13.1 All Recipes: Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle
  13. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Peanut Van: Microwave Peanut Brittle
  14. ↑ HowToDoThings.com: How to Make Holiday Candy
  15. ↑ 16.0 16.1 About.com: Candy's Microwave Peanut Brittle  WARNING: Pop-ups
  16. ↑ Exploratorium: The Science of Candy Hard Crack Stage
  17. ↑ Pastry Sampler: Pastry Questions and Answers
  18. ↑ Food Network: Alton Brown's Peanut Brittle Recipe
  19. ↑ Food Network: Jacques Torres' Peanut Brittle Recipe
  20. ↑ Ultimate Christmas Page: Peanut Butter Brittle
  21. ↑ Fudge Mail: Peanut Brittle

Additional Peanut Brittle Recipes



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