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The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
You will make perfect peanut brittle every time with this recipe. We’ve been making this every Christmas season for the last twenty years for our friends and neighbors. We’re sharing our top tips to help you avoid common mistakes when making peanut brittle.
This recipe costs about $5.11 to make. It makes sixteen servings and costs approximately $0.31 per serving.
Table of Contents
Fail-proof Homemade Peanut Brittle
Buttery, crispy candy pieces with roasted peanuts in every bite. Homemade Peanut Brittle is better than store-bought any day!
It is perfect for wrapping up in a tin to deliver to neighbors, friends, and co-workers during the holidays. Or, if you are like us, we enjoy making this special treat year-round!
Peanut Brittle is easy to make if you get the candy to the proper temperature.Our fail-proof recipe will show you exactly how to get the consistency right every single time. This is an excellent recipe if it is your first time making peanut brittle or if you have a lot of experience with homemade candy recipes.
We have made hundreds of batches of peanut brittle, often tripling it at Christmas time to deliver to friends and family, so you can rest assured the recipe we are sharing with you today has been tested and perfected many times over.
Add this easy peanut brittle recipe to your list of things to try this year, and we think you will have a new family favorite, a delicious treat that will remind you of your Grandma cooking up a batch in her kitchen!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe For Peanut Brittle:
- Easy to Follow Recipe: We list precisely the steps to create the perfect Peanut Brittle for your family and friends. You can also refer to the in-process pictures for additional guidance with this recipe.
- Texture and Taste: Peanut Brittle checks all the boxes! It has a sweet and salty flavor with a slightly chewy texture. The extra crunch from the roasted peanuts is what dreams are made of and makes the best candy for Christmas treats.
- Family Recipe: Everyone loves a trusted family recipe. This vintage recipe is one you can count on for taste and ease of preparation.
Ingredients for the Best Peanut Brittle Recipe + Cost breakdown
Recipe Cost: $5.11
Per Serving: $0.31
- 2 cups granulated sugar –$0.60
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter –$0.28
- 1 cup water –$0.00
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract –$0.33
- 2 cups roasted salted peanuts –$0.98
- 1 cup light corn syrup –$2.90
- 2 teaspoons baking soda –$0.02
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check outBudget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in December 2023.
How to make Easy Peanut Brittle
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- The first step is to prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then, prep the ingredients.
- Next, cook the sugar mixture in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
- After the temperature reaches 240 degrees F, add the peanuts. Stir constantly. Add the butter, constantly stirring and keeping a close eye on the peanut brittle mix until the thermometer reaches 300 degrees F.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda.
- Finally, pour the brittle mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Cool the hot candy completely before breaking it into smaller pieces.
Peanut Brittle Recipe Easy Variations
- Instead of corny syrup, you can use honey, pancake syrup, agave nectar, and light-colored molasses.
- In place of raw peanuts, you can use almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans.
Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe tips
- Prep the ingredients in bowls next to the pot of peanut brittle so everything is ready to be added quickly as this is a fast moving recipe.
- After making the peanut brittle, put the wooden spoon and thermometer in the empty pot and fill it with hot water. Let it sit for awhile so the extra peanut brittle dissolves away. This makes the cleanup extra easy.
- This recipe can be made weeks in advance as long as you store it in an airtight container. Moisture will make the peanut brittle sticky.
- Make extra bags to keep on hand with a cute tag. As friends stop by during the holiday season, you will have a bag of peanut brittle ready to give them.
- Do not remove the peanut brittle from the stovetop too soon. Use the candy thermometer to ensure the temperature reaches 300 degrees F. If the brittle is too soft, it was not cooked long enough.
- Stir the mixture constantly to allow for even cooking and to avoid scorching the bottom of the mixture.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat. Resist the temptation to cook it too quickly over too high of heat as it will impact the overall consistency of the peanut brittle.
How to Store Homemade Peanut Brittle
Store:Store peanut brittle in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freeze:Cool the brittle entirely and then store it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe FAQs
Is peanut brittle bad for you?
Peanut brittle is not on our list of healthy treats! This is a sugary treat to indulge in, but maybe just not every day! There are 277 calories per serving, 45 carbs, and 41 grams of sugar.
What does baking soda do to peanut brittle?
Baking soda helps create air bubbles in the texture of the peanut brittle. This is why it is added at the end of the process before you pour the candy into the baking sheet to rest. It is an essential ingredient to remember to add!
Why is my peanut brittle too hard?
When you bite into a piece of peanut brittle, and it is so hard, you feel like you will break your teeth; that is the worst! The most likely cause of this is too much moisture in your candy. Be sure to cook all of the water out of the sugar, corn syrup, and water mixture when cooking it to 300 degrees.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Help your child break the peanut brittle into pieces. They will love this and can help put the pieces in tins to deliver.
Ages 4-5:Let your little one prep the ingredients. They can help measure them out and pour them into the pot.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child how to read a thermometer. Show them how it works as you mix the sugar mixture.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Homemade Peanut Brittle Budget Tips
Consider making Homemade Vanilla Extract, as it is a cost-effective strategy for lowering your grocery bill.
More Desserts
- Brownie Cookies
- Chocolate Glazed Biscuit Donuts
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
- Crockpot Candy
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Death by Chocolate Poke Cake
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
More from Easy Budget Recipes
- Peppermint Shake
- Ambrosia Salad Recipe
- Cheese Ball Recipe Easy
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Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe
Recipe Cost 4.24
Serving Cost 0.26
Author Easy Budget Recipes
Course candy, Dessert
Cuisine American
Homemade Peanut Brittle is a sweet, salty, and crunchy candy that is made on the stovetop. It’s one of our favorite edible gifts to give during the holidays.
Servings: 16 people
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins
Equipment
baking sheets
candy thermometer
Liquid measuring cup
measuring cup
Wooden mixing spoon
Measuring spoons
large saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups roasted salted peanuts
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
PREP PAN:
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
PREP INGREDIENTS:
Measure the peanuts, butter, vanilla, and baking soda and have it ready to add (this recipe moves quickly).
COOK SUGAR MIXTURE:
Stir together sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
Cook until the temperature reaches 240 degrees F on the thermometer.
Add peanuts and constantly stir until the temperature reaches 280 degrees F.
Add butter and continue to stir constantly until the temperature reaches 300 degrees F.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add vanilla and baking soda, and stir.
POUR CANDY AND FINISH:
Pour the hot sugar mixture immediately onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
Cool the candy completely and then break into pieces.
Video
Notes
Store peanut brittle in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
Serving: 2pieces | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Love this recipe?Follow @EasyBudgetRecipes or tag #EasyBudgetRecipes!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Kelly Whallon says
Beth, I can’t tell you how much we all love this brittle! My favorite treat at Christmas!! One of the things I thought about working from home, is I wasn’t going to receive your brittle this year. I’m so glad you posted this recipe! Thank you!!!
Reply
Jillian says
It make me sad to not be able to carry on this tradition, maybe next year! Tell me how it goes! 🙂
Noelle says
This was so delicious! The perfect peanut buttery flavors and super simple to make!Reply
Jess Jankowski says
We are thrilled it was so easy to make!
LIsalia says
This was so easy to make and EXTRA delicious. I used honey roasted peanuts and LOVED it!Reply
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you loved it! Those honey roasted peanuts are delish!
Rachel says
Made this with half white and half brown sugar. Turned out amazing. So easy, so fluffy and perfect when pouring on cookie sheet. Tastes delicious!
Reply
Jess Jankowski says
So glad you were able to make this recipe your own! Thank you for sharing your feedback.