Grandma’s Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe (Holiday Classic)
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
This homemade peanut brittle recipe is a true family treasure. My husband grew up enjoying his mom’s peanut brittle, and it quickly became one of his favorites. His church even used it for fundraising, pouring the brittle into pie tins and selling circles of candy. It was always a hit — crunchy, sweet, and far less expensive than buying brittle at the store.
Now, we make this classic peanut brittle every holiday season. It’s perfect for gift giving, sharing at parties, or simply enjoying with your family.
What You Need to Make Peanut Brittle
To make this recipe, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and tools:
- sugar
- corn syrup
- water
- raw peanuts
- margarine
- salt
- baking soda
- candy thermometer
Step-by-Step Tips
Can You Substitute Dark Corn Syrup?
Yes, you can use dark corn syrup instead of light. It adds a deeper, toasty flavor and changes the brittle to a darker color. Don’t be alarmed — it’s just a flavor variation.
What Does Baking Soda Do?
Baking soda aerates the mixture, causing it to expand and rise. This gives the brittle its signature crunchy texture and golden color without food coloring.
How Long Does Peanut Brittle Take to Set?
Once cooked to 250°F, cooling time depends on your home’s temperature. Typically, it sets within 30–60 minutes before you can break it apart.
Do You Need to Butter the Baking Sheets?
Yes, butter or margarine prevents sticking. You can also use parchment paper. We often used pie tins. Once cooled, pressing the bottom released perfect circles of brittle.
Can Other Nuts Be Used?
Absolutely. Cashews, macadamia nuts, or dry roasted peanuts all work well. If your nuts are salted, reduce or skip the added salt.
How Do You Store Peanut Brittle?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for up to 6 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Can peanut brittle be a holiday gift? Yes. Wrap pieces in cellophane bags or tins. It’s a thoughtful, budget-friendly gift.
Why is my peanut brittle chewy? It may not have reached hard crack stage. Use a candy thermometer to ensure accuracy.
Can you make peanut brittle on a humid day? Humidity can cause stickiness. Try to make brittle on a dry day for best results.
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe (Crispy Holiday Classic)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ½ cup water
Add At 250F
- 2 ½ tablespoons imperial margarine
- 3-4 cups raw peanuts
Add After Boiling 8 minutes
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon margarine
Instructions
- Butter baking sheet or pie tins.
- In your Dutch oven, add the sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring this up to 250F on a candy thermometer.
- Once at that temp, add the 2 1/2 tablespoons margarine and raw peanuts.
- Stir and Stir and don’t stop for 8 minutes on high temp.
- After 8 minutes, remove from heat, add baking soda, salt & 1/2 teaspoon margarine.
- Mix completely.
- Once incorporated, pour out on greased baking sheet or into pie tins.
- Allow to cool before breaking into smaller pieces.
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