This Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe Is a Crunchy, Sweet Treat You’ll Want to Gift This Fall

There’s something about fall time that makes me crave dessert. And growing up, there was nothing quite like the smell of something sweet bubbling away on the stove. I remember helping my mother whip up a batch of her homemade peanut brittle, which she gave to all of our neighbors. But this treat isn’t just nostalgic; it’s also one of the quickest and easiest ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, it takes under and hour to make with only six ingredients on the stove top (no oven needed!). And the best part? It stores well, so you can make it ahead of time and have a delicious, crunchy snack ready whenever the craving hits. Here’s how to make homemade peanut brittle.

What is peanut brittle?

Peanut brittle is a classic candy that has been around for generations. A type of hard candy, you make it by caramelizing sugar and then mixing in roasted peanuts. Once the sugar turns golden brown with the nuts, the mixture is spread out onto a flat surface and left to cool. As it cools, the candy hardens into a brittle, glass-like sheet that can be broken into satisfyingly crunchy pieces.

While peanuts are the traditional choice, you can actually make brittle with a variety of nuts—almonds, pecans or cashews all work beautifully. But in my opinion, you can’t beat the combination of sweet, caramelized sugar and the earthy, salty crunch of peanuts.

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Tips for making the best homemade peanut brittle

Peanut brittle may be easier than a layer cake, but that doesn’t mean a few tricks won’t help you along the way. Here are some tips I followed for success:

1. Use a candy thermometer

The key to perfect peanut brittle is cooking the sugar to the right temperature. A candy thermometer ensures you hit that sweet spot—literally. You’re aiming for the hard crack stage, around 300°F, where the sugar is fully caramelized and will set properly.

2. Stir constantly

To prevent the sugar from burning, stir the mixture constantly while it’s cooking. This will also help evenly distribute the heat, so your brittle cooks uniformly.

3. Add baking soda

You can’t substitute this crucial ingredient. A pinch of baking soda may seem like a small addition, but it gives the brittle that airy, crisp texture. The baking soda reacts with the sugar, creating tiny air bubbles that make the brittle easier to bite into.

4. Work quickly

This recipe does require a bit of thinking ahead. You’ll want to have your ingredients pre-measured so you don’t waste any time. And once you pour the hot mixture onto your prepared surface, spread it out as quickly as possible. The brittle will start to harden almost immediately, so you want to get it into a thin, even layer before it sets.

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Easy peanut brittle recipe for fall

Homemade peanut brittle is the perfect warm treat to kick off the fall season. Follow this easy recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch. If you don’t have corn syrup, you can swap in honey or agave syrup.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• ½ cup water
• 2 cups salted roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1½ tsp. baking soda
• 1½ tsp. vanilla

Directions:

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 50 servings

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Then, measure out peanuts, butter, baking soda and vanilla and have them ready.
2. Add the sugar and water to a medium saucepan and stir well, then stir in the corn syrup. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a gentle boil.
3. Submerge the candy thermometer in the saucepan, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom. Cool until the temperature reaches 250°F.
4. Add the peanuts and stir the mixture constantly until the candy thermometer temperature reaches 300°F. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in butter, baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will foam and change texture.
5. Carefully pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and use a knife or spoon to quickly spread into an even layer. Allow to cool completely (at least 30 minute) before breaking apart and eating.

Storing instructions

You can make peanut brittle days or even weeks in advance. Once it’s cooled and broken, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for six to eight weeks. I recommend not refrigerating it, as the moisture might soften the brittle. However, you can freeze peanut brittle for up to three months.

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