Make the most addicting homemade peanut brittle to enjoy throughout the Christmas season, plus share some with friends and family as a quick and thoughtful gift!
COOK + BAKE | Published November 12, 2019
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Although I may try a new recipe or two during the Christmas holiday, more often than not I return to the same tried-and-true cookies and candies knowing they are what everyone enjoys most. And with so much to do during the season, I'd much prefer to spend my time preparing what I know turns out well, rather than experimenting to get the recipe right.
One of my favorite Christmas treats is homemade peanut brittle. (Chocolate covered cherry cordials and her "famous" peanut butter fudge are my other must-haves.) It is a recipe my mom has been perfecting for as long as I can remember.
This candy is an addicting sugary treat and many batches are made throughout the month of December. And let's not even talk about just how make pieces I popped into my mouth white taking the pictures for the post, okay? Seriously, though, you'll want to keep a container filled with this peanut brittle close by because you'll be reaching for it all season!
Although you can buy peanut brittle in the store, there is nothing better than the version made over your own stove top. And with minimal ingredients, it is actually a quite economical treat that can even serve as a great homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or your children's teachers. Package it in a decorative tin, glass jar, or even a cellophane bag tied with a tag.
I'm sharing today's recipe as part of the Tastes of the Season tour hosted by Kristen at Ella Claire. If you scroll to the bottom of this post, you'll find links to even more seasonal goodies to enjoy. (And you can find all of the previous posts in the series by clicking here.)
SOME MORE CHRISTMAS RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
TIPS FOR MAKING OLD-FASHIONED PEANUT BRITTLE
HAVE ALL OF YOUR BAKING SUPPLIES MEASURED OUT AND READY BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The peanut brittle mixture is very hot and when it gets to the done stage, you'll need to be able to move quickly adding in the final ingredients and spreading the mixture into the pan.
PLACE YOUR BAKING SHEET IN THE OVEN AS YOUR PREPARE THE CANDY
The peanut brittle mixture will spread easier in the warmed pan. My mom warms the oven to 350 degrees before you starts the candy and then places it on a large cutting board not long before the peanut brittle is ready to be spread.
THIS RECIPE USES RAW PEANUTS
You'll want to be sure that you use raw (blanched) peanuts to make this peanut brittle. They are a light beige color and are not salted or roasted. My mom has always used peanuts packaged by Howe, a company in our state of PA. You may be able to find this brand (or similar brands) in your local grocery stores or Walmart. You can also find raw peanuts by the pound on Amazon.
NO CANDY THERMOMETER IS NEEDED
Most recipes for making peanut brittle involve using a candy thermometer. And you are welcome to research the correct temperatures and use it for this one, too. But it isn't necessary. The trick is to watch for the nuts and sauce mixture to turn a golden brown color. And when it is ready, you'll notice the mixture takes on a caramelized smell. The whole candy making process takes about 15 minutes.
HOMEMADE PEANUT BRITTLE
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 cup raw peanuts (about 1/2 a pound)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BRITTLE
STEP 1: Grease a large, shallow baking sheet using cooking spray. Put it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. You'll be removing the pan shortly before the mixture is ready to spread.
STEP 2: Combine the corn syrup, salt, sugar, and butter in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
STEP 3: Add the raw peanuts to the sauce and increase the heat to high stirring constantly until the peanuts and sauce become a golden brown color. You'll notice a caramelized smell when it is ready. This will take approximately 10 to 14 minutes.
STEP 4: Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the baking soda. This causes a reaction that will make your mixture bubble up a bit, so you want to be sure that you are using a large saucepan.
STEP 5: Quickly pour the peanut brittle mixture from the pan and spread it thinly onto your prepared baking sheet. It will harden quickly. Allow it to cool completely. Then break it into pieces to enjoy.
Store in an airtight container for up to one month.
MORE DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS TREATS YOU'LL WANT TO TRY
My friends below are also sharing their recipes for holiday treats. Which ones do you want to experiment with this Christmas?
Peppermint Whipped Cream by Ella Claire & Co. | Fondant Christmas Cupcakes by Craftberry Bush | Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle by anderson + grant | Dairy Free 6 Ingredient Salted Caramels by Zevy Joy | No Bake Healthy Coconut Bars by Tidbits
Easy Peppermint Bark by Jenna Kate at Home | Black Walnut Christmas Cake by Inspired by Charm | Chocolate Covered Marshmallows with Salted Pretzel Topping by Boxwood Avenue | Christmas Popcorn by Town and Country Living | Snowman Cheese Ball by Julie Blanner
Slow Cooker Candied Pecans by Live Laugh Rowe | Fudgy Peppermint Coconut Flour Brownies by Farmhouse on Boone | Hot Peppermint Mocha by Shabbyfufu | Homemade Take 5 Peanut Butter Cups by Chronicles of Home | Slow Cooker Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels by Nest of Posies
Berry Topped Chocolate Cake by French Country Cottage | Pecan Butter Tart Bars by So Much Better With Age | Chocolate Pinecones by My Sweet Savannah | Peanut Butter Fudge by My 100 Year Old Home | Simple Holiday Fudge by House 214 Design <
Coffee Cake by Rooms for Rent
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