One of my favorite homemade candies is Peanut Brittle. There’s just something about that sweet caramel flavor mixed with salty nuts. The moment it hits your tastebuds BAM! It’s like a party in your mouth! And boy is it addicting!? You can’t eat just one.
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Every Christmas, my daughter and I make tons of candy to pass out. Chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint bark, peanut butter balls, Oreo bark, the list goes on. Everyone has started expecting our goodies and If they don’t see us with our baskets, they are asking us where it’s at!
Several years ago, a close friend gave me a recipe for peanut brittle. I made a couple batches, and messed up a couple batches. I am known for “tweaking” recipes to make them suit my taste buds, (I am also known for not sharing my recipes so you should feel privileged) but I quickly found out that you have to follow this recipe to a tee! It is not my original recipe and I do not know where it came from, but it is absolutely, positively the best peanut brittle recipe I know! Trust me on this one!! This past Christmas, it was the only candy I made. I couldn’t make it fast enough!
So How Do You Make It?
I’m glad you asked. First things first, make sure you use a microwave safe GLASS bowl (at least 4 cup). Don’t use plastic (don’t ask me how I know this but it will melt plastic) And be super careful because the glass (and candy) gets very very HOT. It’s best to use a large mixing bowl with a handle and pour spout like this one. I have a smaller one like this that I use also, but my favorite is the bigger one. I normally use both of them, that way one bowl can be soaking while I make the next batch. And trust me, it will have to soak a little because it cools and hardens super fast! If you have a glass KitchenAid bowl, that will work too.
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- Gather your tools.
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- Gather your ingredients.
Step One:
Gather your tools: Cookie sheet, parchment paper, measuring cups, measuring spoons (oops not pictured), stick of butter, GLASS Bowl, ziplock bags, spoon, and ingredients: Sugar, light corn syrup, salted peanuts, vanilla (my favorite brand is Watkins), and baking soda.
Added bonus; I LOVE LOVE LOVE my copper pans! (Pictured is 12″ x 17″)
Step Two:
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a stick of butter, lightly coat the parchment paper with butter. (You may not have to butter the parchment paper, but I always have and I’m afraid to skip that step).
Step Three:
Mix 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of light corn syrup in a large glass bowl or measuring cup (at least 4 cup). Stir until it you get a paste like mixture. Microwave on high for 4 minutes.
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- After the first 4 Minutes
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- After Adding Peanuts
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- After another 3 minutes
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- This is why you need at least a 4 cup bowl.
Step Four:
Add 1 cup of salted peanuts and stir. Microwave for 3 minutes. Be careful! It is extremely HOT!
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- Add baking soda and vanilla.
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- It will bubble and become frothy.
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- Pour onto buttered pan.
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- Spread with a spoon.
Step Five:
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Be careful, it is very hot and will start foaming. Stir and immediately pour onto buttered parchment paper. Using a spoon, spread out as thin a you can get it. Let cool. Work quickly because it cools and hardens fast.
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- Let Cool.
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- Break into pieces.
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- Look at all that yumminess!!
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- Store in air tight container.
Step Six:
Break into pieces and store in an air tight container. Be cautious when breaking because it creates sharp edges and may cut you (don’t ask me how I know that either). One batch makes approximately one pound (minus a few pieces, because you can’t break this stuff up and not eat any!!) and fits perfectly into a quart size zip lock bag.
Easy Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 Cup Salted Peanuts
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Directions
- In a microwave safe glass bowl mix sugar and corn syrup.
- Microwave for 4 minutes.
- Stir in peanuts and microwave 3 additional minutes.
- Microwave for 4 minutes.
- Stir in baking soda and vanilla.
- Pour onto buttered pan. Spread and let cool.
- Once cooled, break into bite size pieces and store in air tight container.
Full Disclosure: If you make this product, you or your family may become addicted.
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