Peanut Brittle Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 41 comments
Published: Jun 16, 2022 Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022

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Easy, delicious Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe ready in 10 minutes! Old fashioned candy made with simple ingredients in the microwave or on the stove top.

We love old fashioned candy recipes. Try our salted nut roll or almond bars for a delicious treat. Or learn how to make fudge with our tips and tricks!

Peanut Brittle Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this Candy is Best
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Make Peanut Brittle on the Stove Top
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Easy Candy Recipes
  • Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

Why this Candy is Best

Making homemade candy doesn’t have to be hard.

Peanut brittle is a similar to toffee with peanuts. Whether you’re looking for a simple Christmas candy to share, or a dessert for your family you’ve got to try our peanut brittle.

  • Made with simple ingredients.
  • Stays crunchy for weeks.
  • Perfect to give as gifts for the holidays.
  • Can be made in the microwave in minutes, or on the stove top!

Broken pieces of peanut brittle are delicious on our homemade vanilla ice cream too!

Try our homemade kit kat recipe next!

Ingredient Notes

Peanut Brittle Recipe (2)
  • Dry roasted peanuts– we prefer the lightly salted variety. But you can swap them out for cashews and make cashew brittle too!
  • Corn Syrup– adds sweetness and ensures that the texture of the candy does not turn grainy.
  • Baking soda– adds air bubbles to the brittle, creating the perfect texture!

PRO TIP- We love making our own homemade vanilla extract, but if using store bought, be sure it’s pure extract, not imitation (for best flavor).

Tips and Tricks

Peanut Brittle Recipe (3)
  • The bowl gets very hot. You’ll see I recommend using hot pads. Learn from my mistake and always use them.
  • Finally, clean up. The brittle hardens in the glass bowl very quickly. Fill with HOT water and allow to soak until you can scrub it off.
  • Store peanut brittle in an airtight container (or ziploc bag) at room temperature for up to three weeks. We prefer not to freeze brittle as it changes the texture and makes it chewy not crunchy.
Peanut Brittle Recipe (4)

Make Peanut Brittle on the Stove Top

Yes, you can also make this on the stove top if you prefer.

  1. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper like above.
  2. Using a heavy 2 quart saucepan over high heat, bring to a boil the sugar, corn syrup, and add 1/4 cup water.
  3. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is boiling. Reduce heat to medium.
  4. Stir in peanuts. Set a candy thermometer in place, and continue cooking until temperature reaches 300 degrees F (or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard and brittle threads.
  5. Remove from heat and immediately stir in butter, vanilla, and baking soda. Pour onto baking sheet and spread to desired thickness. Break into pieces when completely cooled.
Peanut Brittle Recipe (5)

Recipe FAQs

Why is my peanut brittle not crunchy?

Peanut brittle may not get to the crunchy state if it’s not cooked long enough or the baking soda was not added. Also be sure when storing there is no moisture in the container.

How do I clean the peanut brittle bowl?

If your brittle gets stuck in the bowl, add water to the bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes. This will help soften the brittle so you can scrub it off.

What does baking powder do to brittle?

Adding baking powder to the peanut brittle is key to releasing tiny air bubbles into the candy. This helps create the perfect texture.

More Easy Candy Recipes

  • If you love Caramel deLites or Samoa Girl Scout Cookies, then these easySamoa Trufflesare going to drive your taste buds crazy!
  • Rich, decadent, copycatFannie May Fudge. It’s the perfect chocolate fudge recipe for any time of year, no candy thermometer needed!
  • If you’ve never triedSaltine Toffee, now is the time! Crispy, buttery toffee with crackers, pecans and chocolate. So easy to make, too!
  • Looking for the easiest fudge recipe? Today’sEasy Rocky Road Fudgeis your answer. And it’s absolutely delicious too!
  • Nobody will guess that this sweet toffee starts with graham crackers.Brickle Barsare the next best thing to homemade candy!

Peanut Brittle Recipe (6)

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Microwave Peanut Brittle

4.75 from 8 votes

By: Aimee

Easy, delicious Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe ready in 10 minutes! Old fashioned candy made with simple ingredients in the microwave or on the stove top.

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup peanuts dry roasted, salted
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  • Lay a piece of parchment paper over a large cookie sheet. Set aside.

  • Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2qt. glass bowl. Microwave (on power level 7) for 4 minutes. {I use a 1500watt microwave}

  • Remove and stir in peanuts quickly using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Return to microwave and heat for 3 ½ minutes (on power level 7).

  • Remove and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Return to microwave for an additional 1 ½ minutes (on power level 7).

  • Remove and stir in baking soda, mixing until light and foamy. Pour over parchment paper and spread to desired thickness, working quickly.

  • Allow peanut brittle to set and harden at room temperature (about 2 hours). Break into desired sized pieces and store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Notes

  • The bowl gets very hot. You'll see I recommend using hot pads. Learn from my mistake and always use them.
  • Finally, clean up. The brittle hardens in the glass bowl very quickly. Fill with HOT water and allow to soak until you can scrub it off.
  • Store peanut brittle in an airtight container (or ziploc bag) at room temperature for up to three weeks. We prefer not to freeze brittle as it changes the texture and makes it chewy not crunchy.
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 82mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g

    Course: Candy

    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

    Peanut Brittle Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Why didn't my homemade peanut brittle get hard? ›

    The main reason why peanut brittle doesn't get hard and have the crunch we expect is because the sugar was not cooked long enough. The sugar needs to be cooked to what is called the hard crack stage, 300ºF.

    Why add baking soda to peanut brittle? ›

    Be sure to use a candy thermometer to ensure it reaches 300 degrees F or hard crack stage. What does baking soda do to peanut brittle? Adding a little baking soda aerates the peanut brittle causing it to expand slightly for a crunchy texture that won't break your teeth when you chew it.

    Why is my peanut brittle rubbery? ›

    Why did my peanut brittle turn out chewy? The likely cause is that the sugar mixture didn't reach the proper hard crack stage temperature. Ensuring it reaches 300˚F is key to getting that classic brittle texture.

    Why does my homemade peanut brittle stick to my teeth? ›

    Frequently asked questions. Why does my homemade peanut brittle stick to my teeth? This is because you did not cook it long enough in the microwave. If the texture of the peanut brittle is sticky, and not crunchy, this means that you need to cook the mixture longer, until it reaches 300°F.

    How do you keep peanut brittle crispy? ›

    To accomplish this, spread a layer of wax paper along the bottom of your airtight container. Then add a layer of brittle, ensuring there is a bit of space between each piece. Next, add a second layer of wax paper and a second layer of brittle. Repeat the process until all your brittle is properly stored.

    Why is my peanut brittle hard but sticky? ›

    What's important to know is that the corn syrup controls the grain of the brittle so adding too little and you have a grainy textured brittle, while adding too much will result in a stringy and sticky brittle.

    Can you overcook peanut brittle? ›

    If you overcook the brittle, it could be bitter or burnt. If you undercook it, the brittle won't properly set and the end result will be sticky.

    Why is my peanut brittle not airy? ›

    Working quickly, pour into prepared 10×15 pan. To keep the brittle light and airy, do not spread or flatten the mixture. Instead, let it flow freely. Place in a cool area and leave until completely cooled, about 2-3 hours.

    Can you use parchment paper when making peanut brittle? ›

    You will want the cookie sheet to be non-stick. Use parchment paper, a silicone baking sheet or a greased cookie sheet. Spread the peanut brittle as thin as you can. Immediately add your sea salt.

    How bad for you is peanut brittle? ›

    Outside of that single ingredient, peanut brittle is painfully unhealthy. It contains: sugar, corn syrup, and butter, all of which are unhealthy for your body in different ways. But, peanut brittle becomes terrible for your teeth once all of those ingredients are combined into the final product.

    What's the difference between toffee and peanut brittle? ›

    Brittles are typically composed mostly of sugar, while toffees contain a fair amount of butter and in some cases milk. This makes toffees fuller and richer in taste, while brittles are more purely sweet and sugary. Brittles are also much thinner than most toffees.

    Do you cool peanut brittle in the fridge? ›

    I recommend placing pieces of wax paper or parchment paper between the candy pieces to keep them from sticking together. I do not recommend placing your brittle in the refrigerator (remember, humidity is the biggest enemy of candy, even after it's done cooking!).

    Can peanut brittle be remelted? ›

    - Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 250°F (120°C). - Break the stale peanut brittle into smaller pieces. - Place the brittle pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer. - Heat the brittle in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

    Does humidity affect making peanut brittle? ›

    I've learned that brittle is better when made on a cool, dry day. When I've made the candy on a warmer, humid day, it tends to be a stickier brittle. This is because the brittle takes longer to cool, and it reaches a point where it is no longer evaporating moisture into the air.

    Why do people like peanut brittle? ›

    Peanut brittle is beloved by many, both young and old. There's something addicting in that salty-sweet crunch that keeps people coming back time and time again.

    What makes brittle hard? ›

    What Makes it Brittle? The sugar will be cooked to 300ºF (149ºC)—hard crack stage; which when set up would be hard like a lollipop. But peanut brittle is delicate and you can easily bite into it—how? The secret is in the baking soda.

    How long does it take for brittle to harden? ›

    Don't try to spread the candy once it's on the baking sheet as it starts hardening almost immediately and spreading it doesn't work well. Let the peanut brittle cool for 30 minutes, then break it into pieces. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months.

    Is peanut brittle supposed to be hard? ›

    Peanut Brittle is a smooth, flat candy (similar to toffee), with peanuts in it, that is cooked on the stovetop and poured onto a sheet pan to cool. Once it cools it's broken into small individual-size pieces of hard candy and lasts at room temperature for several weeks.

    Why did my peanut butter fudge not get hard? ›

    The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

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