Peanut Brittle
User Reviews
5.0
Peanut Brittle
Make the best homemade Peanut Brittle with our family friend Barb's famous recipe! It's a classic candy for Christmas, but delicious anytime of the year. It's easy to make in the microwave and great for gifting around the holidays. Follow Barb's recipe, plus my tips, to make crunchy, delicious, old-fashioned peanut brittle, that's perfect every time!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw peanuts
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the raw peanuts, sugar, salt and light corn syrup in a large glass bowl.
- Using a 1650 watt microwave, microwave for 4 minutes and 45 seconds. Refer to the notes section below if using a microwave with a different wattage.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts. Stir the mixture with a spatula, then microwave on high for another 4 minutes and 45 seconds, using a 1650 watt microwave.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave again, and add the butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted into the mixture.
- Microwave again for 4 minutes and 45 seconds using a 1650 watt microwave, or until the temperature of the mixture reaches 300°F, using a candy thermometer, or instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from the microwave. At this time, this mixture should be covered in bubbles. Quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. Now the mixture should be white and foamy.
- Immediately pour the mixture evenly between two non-greased baking sheets, and spread it quickly with a spatula into a thin layer, no thicker than the height of a peanut laying on it’s side.
- Let the peanut brittle cool for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, before breaking it into pieces.
Notes
Follow the microwave times above for a 1650 watt microwave, follow the below times for a 900, 1000 or 12oo watt microwave.
For a 900 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 8 minutes. Microwave the second time for 8 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
For a 1000 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 7 minutes. Microwave the second time for 7 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
For a 1200 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 6 minutes. Microwave the second time for 6 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
For a 900 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 8 minutes. Microwave the second time for 8 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
- Microwave the first time for 8 minutes.
- Microwave the second time for 8 minutes.
- After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
For a 1000 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 7 minutes. Microwave the second time for 7 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
- Microwave the first time for 7 minutes.
- Microwave the second time for 7 minutes.
- After adding the butter, microwave for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
For a 1200 watt microwave:
Microwave the first time for 6 minutes. Microwave the second time for 6 minutes. After adding the butter, microwave for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Microwave the first time for 6 minutes.
- Microwave the second time for 6 minutes.
- After adding the butter, microwave for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
- The wattage for your microwave will usually be printed on a label right inside the microwave door, next to the serial number and other information. If your wattage is different than that listed above, comment below with the wattage of your microwave and I will convert it for you and give you the correct times to microwave your peanut brittle.
- I always recommend starting with 2 minutes during the third cooking time, after adding the butter. Then checking the temperature of the mixture with a candy thermometer, or instant-read thermometer. You want to reach a temperature of 300°F for the candy to be crunchy, but not burnt. After 2 minutes, if the candy is not up to temperature, continue to microwave the mixture for an additional minute, checking the temperature after each minute until it reaches 300°F.
- If your peanut brittle is not hardening, it’s because the sugar mixture did not get hot enough to properly caramelize, cool and become hard, crisp and crunchy. If you have this issue, next time, use a thermometer to make sure the peanut brittle mixture gets to 300°F.
- To make sure that your peanut brittle mixture does not burn in the microwave, always follow the chart above, based on your microwave wattage, to make sure you don’t overcook the peanut brittle. Also, as soon as the sugar starts to burn in the microwave, you will immediately smell it. If you pull the mixture out quickly, you can potentially save the peanut brittle from being ruined. For this reason, I always recommend staying close to the microwave when making peanut brittle.
- Stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, prepared peanut brittle will last 6-8 weeks. Always be sure it's stored in a cool, dry place. I also recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between each layer. This will ensure that the pieces of peanut brittle don’t stick together.
- Always use non-greased baking sheets to spread out and cool the peanut brittle. If you grease the baking sheets, the hot peanut brittle mixture will spread out too thin.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 32ounces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 156 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 156kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 118mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 69mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 89mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
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