Here you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about Peanut Brittle. In case you don't know peanut brittle is a hard, flat, irregularly shaped candy made by mixing nuts into caramelized sugar. Peanuts and pecans make popular Southern brittles.
Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe
1. 2 Cups Sugar.
2. 1 Cup Corn Syrup.
3. 3/4 Cup Water.
4. 2 Cups Raw Peanuts.
5. 3 Tablespoons Butter.
6. 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract.
7. 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda.
8. 1 Teaspoon Course Ground Sea Salt.
Combine the first 3 ingredients in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
Cover and cook over medium heat 2 - 3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from side of pan. Add peanuts, and cook until a candy thermometer registers 300 degrees which is the hard crack stage. be sure to stir occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and remaining ingredients. The candy will foam as baking soda is added due to a chemical reaction. This makes the peanut brittle porous.
Working quickly, pour candy mixture into a well-buttered 15X10 inch jellyroll pan. Spread to the edges of the pan. Cool completly and break into small pieces. Be sure to store in an airtight container.
Candy Thermometer Tip
When using your candy thermometer, make sure the bulb is in the boiling mixture, but not touching the bottom of the pan. Be sure it does not ever touch the bottom of the pan. We've found that it's crucial to watch the thermometer carefully as the candy nears doneness because the temperature often rises very quickly. Also, remember to read the thermometer at eye level.
Candy Making Tips
Try to make your peanut brittle on a dry, sunny day. If you must make it on a humid or rainy day, cook the candy until the thermometer registers 1 - 2 degrees higher than the recipe calls for.
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Brittle
I don't know if you've ever had chocolate dipped peanut brittle but it is so very delicious and easy to make.
Start out by breaking your peanut brittle into long narrow pieces so you can easily dip one end of the peanut brittle into melted chocolate. Melt one half cup of chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl and just melt it. Don't do anything but just melt it. Don't overcook it or the chocolate will seperate. As soon as the chocolate is melted dip one end of the peanut brittle into the melted chocolate and lay your pieces of chocolate dipped peanut brittle onto waxed paper. Let the chocolate harden and then move the chocolate dipped peanut brittle to an air tight covered container.
Did you know that you can also make your brittle with finely crushed pecans instead of peanuts. Brittle made out of crushed pecans is especially delicious and real popular in the deep south. I just simply love chocolate dipped pecan brittle.
Peppermint-White Chocolate Candy Slabs
Make the easiest candy ever for this holiday season's gifts. You only need three ingredients and a loaf pan.
Ingredients Needed
24 round red and green hard peppermint candies
2 (12-oz.) packages white chocolate morsels
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Preparation
Line 3 (9" x 5") loaf pans with multipurpose sealing wrap (we tested with Press 'N Seal); set aside. (Use disposable loaf pans from the grocery store, if desired.) Place candies in a zip-top plastic freezer bag. Coarsely crush candies using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Set aside crushed candies, reserving 3 Tbsp. separately for topping.
Microwave white chocolate morsels in a large microwave-safe bowl at 70% power for 1 minute and 15 seconds. (Morsels will not look melted.) Stir morsels until melted. Microwave again at 15-second intervals, if necessary.
Add peppermint extract and larger portion of crushed candies to melted chocolate, stirring until evenly distributed.
Quickly spread melted white chocolate evenly in prepared pans; sprinkle with reserved 3 Tbsp. candies, pressing gently with fingertips. Let stand 1 hour or until firm.
Peanut Brittle Candy Slabs, Melt white chocolate as directed in recipe above, gently folding in 1 1/2 cups crushed storebought peanut brittle and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; spread evenly in prepared loaf pans. Dollop 1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter over candy mixture in each loaf pan; swirl with a knife. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed peanut brittle evenly over candy in pans, pressing gently with fingertips. Yield: 3 slabs/2 1/3 lb.
Hello Dolly Candy Slabs, Measure and combine 2/3 cup each miniature semisweet chocolate morsels, toasted flaked coconut, chopped pecans, and chopped graham crackers; set aside 1/2 cup of this mix for topping. Melt white chocolate as directed in recipe above, gently folding in combined ingredients; spread evenly in prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup topping mixture over candy in pans, pressing gently with fingertips. Yield: 3 slabs/2 lb.
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