Nothing fills a home with warmth quite like the sweet, nutty scent of homemade peanut brittle bubbling away on the stove. It takes me back to my childhood kitchen, where my mom would whip up a batch every holiday season. The magic of watching sugar melt and transform into something so crunchy and delightful is one of those joys that never fades. Plus, the first bite of that brittle, where the rich taste of toasted peanuts meets the sweetness of caramelized sugar, is just pure bliss. That’s why I’m excited to share my Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle recipe with you!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Quick to whip up – ready in less than an hour!
Makes a fantastic homemade gift for friends and family.
Customizable – feel free to add your favorite nuts or spices!
Budget-friendly treat that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Let’s gather what we need for this crunchy delight. Here’s your shopping list:

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts (or your favorite nuts)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons butter (can use vegan butter as a substitute)

Tip: Using unsalted roasted peanuts gives the best flavor. Freshly roasted nuts can add a delightful crunch and richness to your brittle.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to make some magic? Let’s get cracking with these simple steps:

Begin by preparing your work surface – line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is going to be your landing pad for the hot brittle, so make sure it’s ready to go!
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar fully dissolves. The liquid will start to bubble – oh, the anticipation!
Once the mixture has boiled, stop stirring and let it cook unhindered until it turns a beautiful golden amber color. This takes about 5-7 minutes, but keep a close eye on it as it can go from perfect to burnt quite quickly. You’ll smell that sweet caramel aroma as it cooks!
Once it reaches that perfect color, carefully add in the peanuts and salt, stirring to coat them completely. Make sure you’re standing back a bit as the hot mixture can bubble up fiercely! Be cautious!
Next, remove the pot from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda. This will create a delightful fizzing sound. It’s magical!
Immediately pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, spreading it out as evenly as possible. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to help you with this if needed.
Let the brittle cool completely at room temperature. Once it’s cool and set, break it into pieces – the satisfying crunch is coming!

Pro Tips & Variations

Want to jazz up your peanut brittle? Here are some fun ideas to consider:

Nutty Mix: Swap peanuts for other nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts for a different twist.
Choco Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled brittle for an added touch of decadence.
Spice it Up: Add a dash of cayenne or cinnamon for a surprising kick!
Vegan Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and make sure your vanilla extract is alcohol-free.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you have this fabulous brittle ready, how about some serving suggestions? It’s perfect for:

Enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea when you need that little sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Wrapping up pieces in pretty bags as thoughtful gifts or party favors.
Crushing it up and sprinkling it over ice cream for that irresistible crunch.
Snacking on while binge-watching your favorite series – it’s the ultimate guilty pleasure!

Storage Tips

Your Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle can easily be stored for future snacking. Here’s how:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If it lasts that long!
If you need to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It should keep well for up to three months. Just let it sit at room temperature for a bit before munching again.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted peanuts?

Absolutely! Unsalted peanuts are a great choice since you can control the amount of salt in your brittle. Just be sure to add the salt as per the recipe to balance the sweetness!

What if my sugar mixture crystallizes?

If you notice your sugar begins to crystallize, you may need to start over. Watching the temperature closely and ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved before boiling helps prevent this. Adding a drop of lemon juice can sometimes aid in preventing crystallization.

Why do we use baking soda in the recipe?

The baking soda helps aerate the brittle, giving it that wonderfully crunchy texture. It’ll also add a bit of a bubbly effect, making it easier to break into pieces!

Can I make this without corn syrup?

Yes, you can use honey or agave syrup as a substitute for corn syrup. It will slightly alter the flavor but still yield tasty results!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and, more importantly, tasting this Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle as much as I do! There’s something truly special about creating something so delicious and sharing it with loved ones. Whether you find yourself snacking on it, using it as a topping, or gifting it away, I’d love to hear how your peanut brittle turned out! Feel free to drop a comment below and share your experiences or any fun twists you added to the recipe. Happy cooking!

Ultimate Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle Recipe for GuiltFree Indulgence

Author: antaki
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Discover the secret to making Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle with this quick guiltfree recipe Indulge without the guilt today 149 chars

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat while stirring gently until dissolved.

Let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns a golden amber color, about 5-7 minutes.

Once at the desired color, add the peanuts and salt, stirring to combine while taking care with the hot mixture.

Remove from heat and mix in butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda.

Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly.

Allow the brittle to cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Notes

This Easy Crunchy Peanut Brittle recipe brings the sweetness of homemade candy to your kitchen, filled with the delightful taste of toasted peanuts and caramelized sugar.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American