Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (2024)

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Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (1)My Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle Recipe is my dad’s favorite Christmas Candy. My mom made it every year growing up, and even though I wasn’t a huge fan back then, I can sure appreciate it as an adult. Speaking of appreciation and favorite candy, Old Fashioned Cherry Mash Chocolates is my recipe for my mom’s favorite candy, a Cherry Mash.

I like the crisp crunch and the peanut flavor throughout my Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle Recipe. It’s tasty! After trying a few different recipes, I’ve come to the conclusion that my mom’s recipe really is THE BEST!

step-by-step video for perfect peanut brittle

HOW TO MAKE MOM’S BEST PEANUT BRITTLE

  • Grease a cookie sheet with butter. Set aside.
  • Combine butter, baking soda, and vanilla in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Combine sugar, Karo Syrup, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring to a boil until mixture spins a thread when drizzled from your spoon. See the step-by-step video for an example.
  • Add peanuts and continue stirring the boiling mixture until it turns light brown (approx. same color as a paper bag).
  • Add the bowl of butter, baking soda, and vanilla. Mix until butter is melted and mixture is foamy from the baking soda.
  • Pour out onto prepared cookie sheet and spread mixture out with two forks as thinly as you can (approx. 1/4″).
  • Cool completely.
  • Use a butter knife to break it into pieces. (See picture at bottom of post.)

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (2)

MORE CHRISTMAS RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Crazy Good Mint Fudge
  • White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Crisps
  • Golden Oreo Peanut Butter Truffles
  • Holiday Snowball Cookies
  • Old Fashioned Cherry Mash Chocolates

Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle Recipe is made from very basic ingredients, and you don’t have to have a candy thermometer to make it. Sure, you can use a thermometer. If you don’t have one, you don’t need to feel stressed about messing this up. Just follow the instructions and watch the step-by-step video, and it will turn out great.

Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle Recipe is relatively inexpensive to make and is a great gift for teachers or neighbors. Package it up in a cute bag with a ribbon or add a few pieces to a treat plate.

Frequently Asked Questions about making Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle

where can i buy raw peanuts?

At the local grocery store and online. I have found them in the baking section at my grocery store. Others have bought them from Trader Joe’s, from the produce department of their grocery store, a farmer’s market, and even from a peanut farm.

when using a candy thermometer, what temperature do you bring the boiling mixture to?

Hard crack stage, which is between 300-310 degrees. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, stir the boiling mixture until it spins a thread when drizzled from the spoon. It sounds crazy, but you’ll know what I’m talking about when it happens. See the step-by-step video towards the beginning of the post for an example of what it looks like.

can you use other types of nuts in this recipe?

I have only used raw peanuts, but I don’t know of any reason why other nuts would not work. A couple of readers used almonds, and it turned out good for them.

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (3)

CHEF’S TOOLS:

Favorite Christmas Recipes

Layered Christmas Jello Salad {TMH}Cranberry Fluff Salad with Apples and WalnutsLion House Rolls


4.8 from 37 reviews

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (7)

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Sweet, Crunchy Candy filled with peanuts. Satisfying treat that is sure to bring a smile during the Holidays.

Recipe type: Candy

Cuisine: Christmas

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup Karo Syrup (light)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups raw peanuts
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • extra butter for greasing cookie sheet

Instructions

  1. Grease a cookie sheet with butter. Set aside.
  2. Combine butter, baking soda, and vanilla in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. Combine sugar, Karo Syrup, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring to a boil until mixture spins a thread when drizzled from your spoon. Sounds crazy, but you'll know what I am talking about when it happens. See the step-by-step video for an example.
  4. Add peanuts and continue stirring the boiling mixture until it turns brown, like in the pictures, (approx. same color as a paper bag).
  5. Add the bowl of butter, baking soda, and vanilla. Mix until butter is melted and mixture is foamy from the baking soda.
  6. Pour out onto prepared cookie sheet and spread mixture out with two forks as thinly as you can (approx. ¼").
  7. Cool completely.
  8. Use a butter knife to break it into pieces. (See picture below.)

Don’t Forget to pin this amazing recipe to your favorite pinterest board!

More tried and true candy recipes

Merry Widow CaramelsHomemade Toffee with Chocolate and AlmondsPeanut Butter Cup Bars {No Bake}

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (11)

Mom's Best Peanut Brittle Recipe - Real Life Dinner (2024)

FAQs

Is peanut brittle good or bad for you? ›

Peanut brittle has one redeeming quality: peanuts. 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.

How long will homemade peanut brittle stay fresh? ›

To store: Once it's completely cooled, store peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate as the moisture from the fridge will cause the brittle to soften. Store for 6-8 weeks. To Freeze: Peanut brittle can be frozen and stored up to 3 months.

How to fix peanut brittle that did not harden? ›

Why Is My Peanut Brittle Chewy / Sticky / Didn't Harden?
  1. Break up the brittle and place it in a glass, microwave-safe bowl. Heat on HIGH heat 1-2 minutes until soft and semi-melted. ...
  2. Transfer the semi-melted brittle to a a clean saucepan. ...
  3. Immediately remove from the heat and add additional 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Nov 18, 2022

How do you store peanut brittle for a week? ›

NOTES: The brittle will keep for a week in an airtight container. Do not refrigerate.

Why put baking soda in peanut brittle? ›

In theory, it's a good idea, the baking soda adds some air to the caramelized sugar, making the sheets of candy more brittle, but it also introduces a minerally, metallic taste that's off putting to say the least. My version of peanut brittle is ridiculously simple to make, and leaves out the baking soda.

What is the downside of eating peanuts? ›

From inhibiting the absorption of other minerals such as iron, zinc, manganese and calcium, to wrecking your weight loss goals, to causing digestive issues, consuming too many peanuts can be bad for your overall health. Furthermore, those who are allergic to peanuts should refrain from eating it at all costs.

Can my dog have peanut brittle? ›

Remember human peanut brittle is not safe for dog consumption, so make your pup their own to enjoy!

Why is my peanut brittle bitter? ›

Those other liquid sugars have impurities that will burn at the higher temperature of making caramel, leading to a bitter-tasting brittle.

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 homemade peanut brittle chewy? ›

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? ›

It's what's missing — corn syrup. A common brittle ingredient, Asare said, corn syrup causes brittle to go all gooey, gummy and tooth-clingy as it melts in your mouth, whereas sugar crunches, crumbles and dissolves.

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.

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper for peanut brittle? ›

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil lightly coated with vegetable cooking spray. Place the pan on a heat-proof trivet or cooling rack and set aside. Pre-measure the vanilla, baking soda and peanuts and place in bowls or measuring cups near the stovetop.

What is the best pan for making peanut brittle? ›

Heavy 6 quart Dutch Oven pot. Mine is an old 1970's Club Aluminum. It's perfect! You need a heavy THICK pot so it won't scorch.

Is peanut brittle fattening? ›

Peanut brittle contains 714 calories per 147 g serving. This serving contains 28 g of fat, 11 g of protein and 105 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 75 g sugar and 3.7 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. Peanut brittle contains 6.1 g of saturated fat and 18 mg of cholesterol per serving.

Are crunchy peanuts healthy? ›

Peanuts are high in unsaturated fat, mostly monounsaturated fat (the type that is also in olive and rapeseed oil). This means they're high in calories. But they're also a source of fibre, protein and a range of vitamins and minerals.

What is the healthiest nut to eat? ›

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.

Are peanuts an unhealthy snack? ›

Though they might seem high in calories, nuts—including peanuts—are a great snack if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats found in peanuts can help keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals.

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