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This homemade peanut brittle recipe is surprisingly simple, a buttery old-fashioned favorite in under an hour!

Easy peanut brittle recipe broken into pieces.

A Classic Candy

This peanut brittle recipe is one of our FAVORITE homemade candies!

It’s been grandpa’s favorite for as long as we can remember and now a favorite of our own. We LOVE the crunchy texture and sweet and salty flavor of this classic old-fashioned treat! We make this a couple of times a year, especially at Christmas to gift to friends and neighbors (and so we can munch on it).

It is actually a really simple candy. There are few ingredients, simple steps, and less than 30 minutes of actual work!!

For more crunchy favorites try our famous Toffee Recipe and Christmas Crack Recipe.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Familiar flavor. It’s perfectly crispy, filled with roasted peanuts, and has a sweet buttery, flavor.
  • A classic candy. This candy has been a beloved confection for years, and is a go-to treat (especially around Christmas)!
  • Easy to make. With just a few simple steps, it’s ready to enjoy in under an hour!
Ingredients for peanut brittle spread on a counter top.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ยฝ cup light corn syrup
  • ยผ cup water
  • 1 cup peanuts (no skin) Blanched peanuts are skinless. If using unroasted peanuts, add them to the mixture when melting the sugar, corn syrup, and water. This way they’ll cook and soften. Salted peanuts work too.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – Cutting the butter into cubes first helps it melt better.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ยผ teaspoon salt – omit if using salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

How to Make Peanut Brittle

  1. PREP. Make sure all ingredients are ready and measured out before starting. Some steps require quick action, so this will help the process.
    • Preheat the oven to 170ยฐF.
    • Grease a 10×15 jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet (or cookie sheet) with at least 1-inch tall sides. Set aside.
  2. SUGAR MIXTURE. Heat a large pot over medium heat (The mixture will boil up a lot so use one that’s bigger than you think you’ll need.)
    • Bring 1 cup sugar, ยฝ cup corn syrup, ยผ teaspoon salt, and ยผ cup water to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. When the liquid looks clear, that indicates the sugar has dissolved.
    • While the mixture is heating up, add the jelly roll pan to the preheated oven so it can warm up.
  3. PEANUTS. Add a candy thermometer to the sugar mixture. When the temperature reads 250ยฐF, stir in 1 cup of peanuts. Cook on medium-low heat at a steady boil until the temperature reaches the hard crack stage of 300ยฐF (takes about 10-13 minutes).
    • If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small amount of the candy mixture into a bowl of cold water, if it separates into hard and brittle threads, it’s ready.
  4. COMBINE. Once the mixture reaches 300ยฐF, this is the fast part. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
    • The brittle will lighten up in color but will return to a golden-beige color when it cools.
  5. SPREAD. Working quickly, pour back and forth onto the cookie sheet. Using oven mitts, move the pan around until the mixture spreads out. The recipe will not fill the whole pan, do not spread with a knife or spatula.
  6. COOL. After pouring/spreading, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to cool. Then place it in the refrigerator for another 20-30 minutes.
Homemade peanut brittle cracked on a baking sheet.

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5 from 16 votes

Peanut Brittle Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This homemade peanut brittle recipe is surprisingly simple, a buttery old-fashioned favorite in under an hour!
Servings: 30 pieces
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ยฝ cup light corn syrup
  • ยผ teaspoon salt
  • ยผ cup water
  • 1 cup peanuts, (no skin)
  • 2 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions 

  • Make sure all ingredients are ready and measured out before starting. Some steps require quick action, so this will help the process.
  • Preheat the oven to 170ยฐF.
  • Grease a 10×15 jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with at least 1-inch tall sides. Set aside.
  • In a large pot over medium heat, bring sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. When the liquid looks clear, that indicates the sugar has dissolved.
  • While the mixture is heating up, add the jelly roll pan to the preheated oven so it can warm up.
  • Add a candy thermometer to the sugar mixture. When the temperature reads 250ยฐF, stir in 1 cup of peanuts. Cook on medium-low heat at a steady boil until the temperature reaches the hard crack stage of 300ยฐF (takes about 10-13 minutes).
  • If you don't have a thermometer, drop a small amount of the candy mixture into a bowl of cold water, if it separates into hard and brittle threads, it's ready.
  • Once the mixture reaches 300ยฐF, this is the fast part. Remove from heat and immediately stir in butter, baking soda, and vanilla. (The brittle will lighten in color but will return to a golden beige when it cools.)
  • Working quickly, pour back and forth onto the cookie sheet. Using oven mitts, move the pan around until the mixture spreads out. The recipe will not fill the whole pan, do not spread with a knife or spatula.
  • After pouring/spreading, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to cool. Then place in the refrigerator for another 20-30 minutes.

Video

Notes

Use a large pot. The mixture will boil up a lot. Use a very large pot – one that’s bigger than you think you’ll need.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 77kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 67mg, Potassium: 37mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 23IU, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQS

How to store?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or longer. We don’t recommend freezing or refrigerating because it can lose its crunch.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    The crunch on this is incredible! SO delicious in every way!

  2. Allyson Zea says:

    5 stars
    We make this every year and it’s always super tasty! Sometimes I even give it away as a gift!

  3. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I don’t have a candy thermometer so I appreciate the tips on making this without one.

  4. Val says:

    5 stars
    The brittle was so easy to make. I’m so glad I gave it a try, it’ll go in my cookie boxes for the holidays this year.

  5. Erin says:

    5 stars
    I’ve never made brittle before, and your recipe is easy to follow. I’m happy to report we are munching on some delicious brittle right now and loving it!

  6. Tara G says:

    5 stars
    Fantastic! I made this for my mother in law (peanut brittle is her favorite) and it was a HUGE hit! Thank you!

  7. Deb says:

    5 stars
    I was looking for ideas for the holidays- canโ€™t wait to try as it looks delicious.

  8. Joy says:

    5 stars
    I had no idea how easy this was to make!! Love the crunch!! This will make a great filler on our goodie plates!

  9. Lori H says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing. I actually use this same recipe and it comes out great every time.

  10. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    Iโ€™m so excited to try this recipe. Peanut brittle has always been on my to do list. Itโ€™s always fun to try something different.