If you’re ready to capture the spirit of holidays, gifts from the heart, and old-time kitchen memories, you’re going to fall hard for this Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy). It’s delightfully crisp, buttery-sweet, and packed with irresistible roasted peanut crunch—just like you remember from grandma’s candy dish. This nostalgic treat is surprisingly simple to make at home and perfect for sharing with friends, family, or savoring all to yourself.

Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) is all about classic simplicity, relying on just a handful of staple ingredients that transform into pure magic. Each one adds its own special touch, turning this into a crave-worthy, golden-hued treat.

Granulated Sugar: This is the heart of your brittle, providing that beautiful caramelized base and signature snap.
Light Corn Syrup: Helps prevent crystalization and ensures your brittle stays shiny and smooth, never grainy.
Salt: Just a pinch brings out a delightful contrast, enhancing both the sweetness and the roasted peanut flavor.
Water: Allows the sugar mixture to dissolve evenly and cook at just the right pace.
Raw or Roasted Unsalted Peanuts: The star ingredient—choose unsalted to let that true peanut essence shine, adding crunch and nutty depth.
Unsalted Butter: For rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and a smoother texture.
Baking Soda: The secret weapon for an airy, delicate crunch—watch the mixture puff up before your eyes!
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic finish that rounds out all those nostalgic candy shop vibes.

How to Make Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy)

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a light coating of butter or nonstick spray—this is one instance where sticking is not your friend! Have everything ready, because once your brittle mixture is done, things move fast.

Step 2: Dissolve the Sugar Mixture

In a sturdy, heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, salt, and water. Stir gently and patiently until the sugar crystals melt away and the mixture begins to come to a boil—this is the foundation of that classic, glassy brittle texture.

Step 3: Add the Peanuts

Toss in your raw or roasted unsalted peanuts and keep stirring. You want the peanuts to get cozy in the bubbling syrup, soaking up all that sweetness as the candy cooks. This step locks in the signature roasted flavor and ensures every piece of brittle has plenty of peanut goodness.

Step 4: Cook to Hard Crack Stage

Continue cooking, giving everything a good stir as needed, until the mixture hits 300°F on a candy thermometer (aka the hard crack stage). This is where patience pays off! If you don’t have a thermometer, watch for the syrup to turn a deep golden color and pull into brittle threads when dropped in cold water.

Step 5: Stir in Butter, Baking Soda, and Vanilla

Remove the saucepan from the heat right away. Quickly add the unsalted butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble and foam up—don’t worry, this is exactly what you want! Stir briskly to create those signature micro-bubbles that make the Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) uniquely crisp and light.

Step 6: Spread and Cool

Immediately pour the foaming brittle onto your prepared pan. Use a spatula—fast!—to spread it out thin and even. Work quickly, because it will start to set almost immediately. Allow the candy to cool completely (about 30 minutes), then break into beautiful golden shards.

How to Serve Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy)

Garnishes

For the finishing touch, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dazzle of dark chocolate drizzle makes this old-fashioned treat feel extra special. If you want a sophisticated twist, try a dusting of cinnamon or espresso powder for grown-up flavor complexity.

Side Dishes

Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) makes a joyful pairing with a mug of hot cocoa, robust coffee, or sweet dessert wine. For a dessert board, serve it alongside dried fruits, good cheeses, and other classic candies to let its golden, crunchy charm steal the show.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the candy dish! Wrap pieces in cellophane bags for heartfelt homemade gifts, or tuck shards into mason jars with a ribbon. For parties, try crumbling brittle over vanilla ice cream or using it as a crunchy layer in parfaits. No one will forget your signature spin on this sweet classic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) at peak crunchiness, store the cooled pieces in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it away from humidity and moisture so every bite stays crisp and delightful for up to two weeks.

Freezing

While freezing peanut brittle isn’t usually necessary (it keeps so well at room temp), you can freeze it for longer storage. Just wrap tightly in plastic, tuck into a freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.

Reheating

Peanut brittle is meant to be enjoyed at room temperature, so there’s really no need to reheat it. If it gets a bit sticky (hello, summer humidity!), just let it air out in a cool, dry spot and it should crisp up again. Avoid microwaving to prevent melting or softening.

FAQs

Why did my peanut brittle turn out sticky or chewy?

If your brittle isn’t snapping, chances are it didn’t reach the hard crack stage (about 300°F). Using a candy thermometer is your best bet to get that glassy, crisp finish every time on the Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy).

Can I use other nuts instead of peanuts?

Absolutely! Cashews, almonds, pistachios, or a mix of your favorites all work well. Just be sure to keep the total nut amount to about one cup for the best results and crunch.

Is light corn syrup necessary?

Light corn syrup is key for preventing grainy texture and making the brittle smooth. If needed, you can try golden syrup or honey, but you may notice a flavor change. For truly classic Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy), stick with light corn syrup if you can!

How do I avoid burning the sugar?

Cook the sugar mixture over medium heat and stir gently, especially after adding peanuts. Use a heavy-bottomed pan for even heating and take it off the stove as soon as you hit 300°F or see that deep golden color to avoid any hint of bitterness.

Can I double the recipe?

You sure can—just use a larger saucepan and be ready to work even more quickly when spreading the brittle, as bigger batches still set up rapidly!

Final Thoughts

This recipe for Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) is a delightful throwback that never goes out of style. There’s just something magical about cracking into a shard of homemade brittle, rich with roasted peanuts and that signature golden crunch. Whether you’re making it for gift-giving, sharing with loved ones, or just treating yourself, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to bring a little old-fashioned sweetness into your kitchen. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite tradition!

Best Peanut Brittle (Old-Fashioned Candy) Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the classic sweet and crunchy delight of this Best Peanut Brittle recipe. Whether you enjoy it during the holidays or as a special treat, this old-fashioned candy is sure to please your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 cup raw or roasted unsalted peanuts
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it and set aside.
Cook the Mixture: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Add peanuts and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
Finish the Brittle: Remove from heat, stir in butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Quickly pour the brittle onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Cool and Break: Let the brittle cool completely, then break it into pieces.