Peanut Brittle is a holiday classic but it’s made even better when you add extra butter to the recipe. Making Peanut Brittle can be a daunting task but follow these keys to success and you’ll pull it off every single time!
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Peanut Brittle may seem like a difficult recipe to get right but it’s really easy if you have a good candy thermometer and this great recipe.
Key to Success #1 – More Butter = Better
I don’t call this Buttery Peanut Brittle for nothing.
This Peanut Brittle recipe calls for a full cup of butter.
That’s much more than most Peanut Brittle recipes that you’ll find out there, but the extra butter is so worth it.
In addition, you’ll also butter the baking sheet just to make sure you’ve got every square inch covered.
I’m kidding. That’s not the reason, but it definitely could be!
Key to Success #2 – The Magic Temperature
When cooking Peanut Brittle, you want it to get to the hard crack stage.
For the perfect Peanut Brittle texture, I suggest cooking to exactly 305 degrees F. Exactly. That’s the magic number.
As you’re getting close to the temperature, watch your thermometer very carefully because the temperature can change very quickly at the end.
And keep stirring, even around your candy thermometer.
Use a heat-proof pad to move the thermometer out of the way for a moment so that you can stir then move it right back into place.
As you get close to the magic temperature, the mixture will begin to darken.
This is okay. Just keep stirring vigorously so that your syrup will not burn.
Key to Success #3 – Stir … but not too well
This is perhaps the best tip I have for Peanut Brittle.
Once you take your Peanut Brittle mixture off the stove and add in the baking soda, mix it well but not too well.
Just give it a quick stir to make sure the baking soda is mixed in well.
Then just pour it out into our prepared pans.
When you do this, the Peanut Brittle mixture will continue to expand just a bit and it’ll form all these tiny little air pockets that will make your Peanut Brittle so tender and almost flaky.
Just pour the mixture onto the pans as evenly as possible.
Don’t go trying to stir or spread it all around.
This will kill all the bubbles that you’re trying to get and you might end up with tough brittle.
Don’t be intimidated by this Peanut Brittle recipe.
If you follow these easy keys to success, you’ll make a perfect batch every time.
I think I’m going to have to go make another batch now. Someone ate all mine!
Don’t forget to like and share!
Save this Buttery Peanut Brittle recipe to your favorite Christmas Candy board or your Peanut Lovers board.
Buttery Peanut Brittle Recipe
Buttery Peanut Brittle that turns out perfectly every single time!
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup butter, cut into chunks
- 2 cups raw Spanish peanuts
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Generously butter two large rimmed baking sheets. Set aside.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in 3-qt saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil.
- Add butter. Continue cooking 15-25 minutes until candy thermometer registers 280 degrees F. Continue stirring occasionally.
- Add peanuts. Stir continuously for 10-12 minutes until candy thermometer registers 305 degrees F. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
- Pour evenly into prepared pans. Do not spread.
- Cool completely then break into pieces.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Darlene Bleiler
Tuesday 13th of December 2022
Great recipe come out perfect I use a silicone pad don’t grease it comes out perfect thanks
Eve
Thursday 21st of July 2022
This is my second time making any type of candy and second time making brittle but with a different recipe. I was finally able to get to the hard crack stage. The first time I made brittle I don’t think I let it stay at 300 long enough so this recipe has some truth to the magic 305.
Although pretty delicious, I still have a little back end stickiness to the brittle. Not as bad as my first time making brittle, but enough to mention. That’s not any fault to the recipe though… I’m sure I just need more practice with candy and my thermometer. This recipe is definitely worth a try!
Barb
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
I made this and it tastes buttery...butlooks a little burnt. Yikes! What did I do wrong? Thanks!
Jennifer
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
It sounds like it may have been cooked a tiny bit over 305 degrees F. If your candy thermometer showed 305 degrees, you might want to test it to make sure it’s accurate. (Bring a pot of water to a full rolling boil then use your candy thermometer to check the temperature. It should be 212 degrees F. If it’s not, you would need to adjust the temperature of any other foods you cook accordingly or get a new candy thermometer.) I hope this helps!
Diane
Sunday 19th of September 2021
I about to make your peanut brittle. could I not just use parchment paper instead of buttering the pans ?
Rita
Wednesday 10th of November 2021
@Jennifer, The first time I made this is turned out perfect but the second time I followed directions exactly the same and it sticks to your teeth when eating. Any suggestion?
Jennifer
Sunday 19th of September 2021
Yes! You can use parchment paper. I would probably still use a little butter on the parchment to make sure it doesn’t stick but that’s just me!
CD
Monday 7th of June 2021
Hi, great recipe and thanks for sharing. My peanut brittle comes out shining and has a little greasy/filmy feeling when I handle them. I sometimes use wax paper to absorb the excess butter. Am I doing something wrong or it us normal to have that layer of shine and buttery feeling?
Thank you
Jennifer
Monday 7th of June 2021
I think it’s normal for the peanut butter to be a little shiny and buttery. You could get less of the buttery feeling if you didn’t coat the pan with butter, but I always do it for the non-stick factor and the buttery flavor.