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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle

    Published: Nov 16, 2024 · Modified: Jun 9, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    I love making and sharing this Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle candy. It’s a nostalgic classic that I always enjoyed as a child and that I like to see others enjoy, too. There’s nothing like the chewy crunch of peanut brittle! I promise that if you make this for guests at your next party, you won’t have any left to take home!

    A piece of old fashioned peanut brittle held in the air.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make Peanut Brittle
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Video
    • More Delicious Holiday Treat Recipes
    • Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Bites

    The salty peanuts add great crunch while the corn syrup and sugar balance with the perfect amount of sweetness and chew that is almost addictive! The smell and taste of homemade peanut brittle are unmatched.

    If you like homemade candy recipes, you will love my Christmas Crack Pretzel Toffee, Butter Toffee Pretzels and Layered Chocolate Nut Toffee too!

    Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Recipe

    • Inexpensive ingredients: This is a wonderful treat with a gourmet presentation that is super affordable even on a tight budget.
    • Thoughtful holiday gift: There are few things better than a homemade holiday gift and your friends and family will be delighted to receive this one.
    • Easy homemade candy: Making candy at home doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe is easy to follow and understand, even if you have never made it before!

    Ingredients

    There are very few ingredients needed to make this easy peanut brittle recipe. The items below are easy to find and gentle on the wallet. That’s why I like to make more than one batch to share!

    Ingredients to make homemade peanut brittle bites on the table before preparing.
    • Sugar: I use white granulated sugar for this recipe. It cooks down and caramelizes perfectly for this recipe.
    • Corn syrup: This is a key ingredient in brittle because it prevents the sugar from crystalizing and keeps it from becoming too hard to bite into.
    • Water: To prevent too much browning and to help the sugar properly dissolve, I add some water to the pot.
    • Butter: This adds fat and a buttery flavor to the peanut brittle. It also helps to set it. I use unsalted butter so the candy isn’t too salty but you may use salted if you like the flavor.
    • Peanuts: Dry roasted and salted peanuts are best for this recipe. They offer the best crunch. 
    • Baking soda: This is another essential ingredient to achieve the best texture of the brittle. It makes it light and keeps it from becoming too hard and it also balances the flavors so you get more caramel notes.
    • Vanilla extract: I add a splash of vanilla extract to bring it all together. The subtle vanilla flavor plays well with the other ingredients.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Chocolate: Turn this old-fashioned peanut butter candy into a chocolate lover’s dream! Coat them in melted milk or dark chocolate for the ultimate indulgent treat!
    • Mixed nuts: Use a mixture of peanuts, cashews, and pecans for a variety of textures in one bite.
    • Spiced: Stir in warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a whole new flavor profile that’s perfect for the holidays.

    How to Make Peanut Brittle

    Here are the instructions on how to make this nostalgic old-fashioned peanut butter candy recipe. Before you get started, I suggest that you grease your mini muffin tin with butter so the candies are easy to remove.

    Sugar, corn syrup, and water added to pan.

    Step 1: Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pot, touching the mixture.

    Butter added to the pan once the sugar has dissolved.

    Step 2: Dissolve the sugar. Heat the pot at medium-high heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Place the pieces of butter into the pot once it is gently boiling. Allow the mixture to cook and the butter to melt. In about 20 minutes, it should be golden, thick, and at 280 degrees F.

    Adding peanuts to bubbly candy mixture.

    Step 3: Add the peanuts. Pour in the peanuts and stir until it reaches 305 degrees F.

    Baking soda and vanilla added to cooking peanut brittle.

    Step 4: Add the baking soda and vanilla. Remove from the heat and quickly stir in baking soda and vanilla extract.

    Peanut brittle poured into muffin pan.

    Step 5: Spoon into the tin. Carefully divide the mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Allow the brittle to cool at room temperature.

    Peanut brittle bites on a piece of parchment on top of each other and at various angles.

    Step 6: Remove and serve. Pop them out of the pan and enjoy!

    ⭐ Hint: Make sure you are stirring frequently throughout the procxxess so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot and burns.

    If you love old-fashioned dessert recipes like this one, you may also enjoy my Butterscotch Caramel Cashew Bars or this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding recipe!

    Bites of old fashioned peanut brittle stacked on top of each other in a bowl.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Make this peanut brittle as a treat after a lovely holiday dinner. Some recipe suggestions are this Dr. Pepper Glazed Ham, Pressure Cooker Cranberry Sauce, and Cornbread and Sage Stuffing.
    • Another holiday dessert you may make to serve alongside this one is Sugar Cookie Fudge Recipe.
    • You can’t celebrate the holidays without a festive cocktail like this Christmas Holiday Punch.
    Three peanut brittle cups stacked on top of each other with more behind it on the table.

    Recipe Tips

    • Storage directions: Store the peanut brittle bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
    • Purchase a candy thermometer: This is essential in candy making. Allowing the ingredients to reach the correct temperature will result in the most successful result.
    • Cool completely. You must let the peanut brittle cool before handling it. This ensures it is fully set and won’t burn you.

    Recipe FAQs

    What can I use if I don’t have a mini muffin pan?

    You may spread the peanut brittle onto a parchment line baking sheet if you don’t have a mini muffin pan. Let it completely cool and harden before you crack it into pieces.

    Can I store leftover peanut brittle in the refrigerator?

    I don’t recommend it because the moisture in the fridge will alter the texture of the brittle.

    Can I use raw peanuts?

    Yes. Add them at the beginning to give them time to cook and gain color. 

    Peanut brittle bites with some broken into pieces and peanuts scattered on a piece of parchment.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Delicious Holiday Treat Recipes

    Do you like festive holiday desserts? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!

    • Baileys Bites on parchment.
      Baileys Brownie Bites with Baileys Ganache
    • A slice of cranberry pretzel salad on a white plate with another one in the background.
      Cranberry Pretzel Salad
    • Gingerbread dip with a hand dipping a gingerbread man in it.
      Festive Gingerbread Dip
    • Different colored Christmas donuts on a wire rack with festive decorations on top.
      Christmas Donuts

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    An old fashioned Peanut Brittle Bite held in the air.

    Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle Bites

    Karin and Ken
    This Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle is great for the holidays or any time. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty with a crunchy texture for a balanced bite.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 141 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • mini muffin pan (24 holes)
    • candy thermometer
    • heavy bottomed saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup sugar
    • ½ cup corn syrup
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ cup unsalted butter or 1 stick
    • 1 ½ cups salted dry-roasted peanuts
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Grease your mini-muffin pan with butter and set aside.
    • In a small, heavy bottomed saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of your saucepan so it touches the syrup mixture.
    • Turn the heat on to medium-high and stir the mixture until the sugar is totally dissolved!
    • Once mixture is gently boiling add butter. Stir frequently. The syrup mixture will become a golden color and very thick, about 20 minutes. The thermometer should read 280 degrees.
    • Add peanuts and stir constantly until the thermometer reads 305 degrees.
    • Remove your saucepan from the heat. Quickly stir in baking soda and vanilla.
    • Carefully spoon the hot mixture into your prepared pan. Allow to cool on your counter. Remove bites from the pan and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    • Storage directions: Store the peanut brittle bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
    • Purchase a candy thermometer: This is essential in candy making. Allowing the ingredients to reach the correct temperature will result in the most successful result.
    • Cool completely. You must let the peanut brittle cool before handling it. This ensures it is fully set and won’t burn you.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 66mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 118IUCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword old fashioned peanut brittle, peanut brittle bites
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published in December 2016. It's been updated with new images and content.

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    Comments

    1. Colleen says

      April 16, 2025 at 7:12 pm

      5 stars
      works every time.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        April 16, 2025 at 7:21 pm

        We make it a few times a year and always love it! All the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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