Crispy Crunchy Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle. Just the name conjures up images of shatteringly crisp shards of sugary goodness, studded with roasted peanuts. This classic confection is surprisingly easy to make at home, and the results are always impressive.

Why Make Peanut Brittle at Home?

Control the Ingredients: You can choose high-quality ingredients, like organic sugar and unsalted peanuts, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful treat.

Customize the Flavors: Experiment with different types of nuts (cashews, almonds), add spices like cinnamon or ginger, or drizzle with chocolate for an extra decadent touch.

A Fun Cooking Project: Making peanut brittle is a fun and engaging activity for the whole family, especially during the holiday season.

Getting Started: Gather Your Supplies

Before you dive in, make sure you have the following:

Heavy-bottomed pot: This will help prevent scorching the sugar.

Candy thermometer: Essential for accurately monitoring the sugar temperature.

Large baking sheet: Line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula: For stirring the mixture.

Heatproof bowl: For cooling the brittle.

Kitchen shears or a sharp knife: For cutting the brittle.

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted peanuts

1 teaspoon baking soda

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peanuts: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread peanuts on a baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool completely.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir to combine.
3. Cook the Syrup:

Attach the candy thermometer to the side of the pot.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, without stirring.

Continue to cook, watching the thermometer closely.

The mixture will gradually darken in color.

4. The Hard Crack Stage: The most crucial step is reaching the “hard crack” stage. This occurs when the sugar syrup reaches 300°F (149°C) on the candy thermometer.

Be patient! It may take some time for the temperature to rise.

Once the hard crack stage is reached, remove the pot from the heat immediately.

5. Add Peanuts and Baking Soda:

Carefully stir in the roasted peanuts.

Add baking soda and stir vigorously for about 30 seconds. The mixture will foam up dramatically.

If using, stir in vanilla extract.

6. Pour and Shape:

Quickly pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

Work quickly! Use a heatproof spatula to spread the brittle evenly into a thin layer.

7. Cool and Cut:

Let the brittle cool completely. This may take 30 minutes or longer.

Once completely cooled and hardened, break or cut the brittle into pieces using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Don’t Overcook: Overcooking the sugar syrup can result in a brittle that is too hard or even burnt.

Watch the Thermometer: Keep a close eye on the candy thermometer to ensure you reach the correct temperature.

Safety First: Be extremely careful when handling hot sugar syrup. It can cause severe burns.

Storage: Store peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Creative Variations

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture.

Go Nuts: Use a combination of nuts, such as peanuts, cashews, and almonds.

Chocolate Delight: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled brittle.

Sea Salt Crunch: Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for a sweet and salty contrast.

Conclusion

Making peanut brittle at home is a rewarding experience. With a little practice and attention to detail, you’ll be creating delicious and impressive treats that are sure to impress your friends and family. So gather your ingredients, put on some music, and enjoy the sweet satisfaction of making this classic confection from scratch.