Simple Peanut Brittle

24 Ratings
  • 5 4
  • 4 11
  • 3 5
  • 2 4
  • 1 0

Serve this salty-sweet treat alongside coffee or tea for dessert, and save any leftovers for snacking. Peanuts make a classic brittle, but you can substitute cashews or almonds instead.

Martha Stewart Living, December 2002

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Recipe Summary

Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Butter a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

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  • Continue cooking, without stirring, until mixture reaches the soft-ball stage on a candy thermometer (238 degrees to 240 degrees), swirling pan occasionally; wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. Stir in nuts, and continue cooking, stirring frequently to prevent nuts from burning, until mixture is light amber.

  • Remove pan from heat; carefully stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam up in pan). Pour onto prepared baking sheet; quickly spread into a 1/2-inch-thick layer with an oiled metal spatula. Let stand until completely cool.

  • Break brittle into large pieces.

Cook's Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

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Reviews (29)

24 Ratings
  • 5 4
  • 4 11
  • 3 5
  • 2 4
  • 1 0
Martha Stewart Member
10/07/2009
Ashleigh and Joannea send request to myke43@msn.com and I will send recipe...............Mykele
Martha Stewart Member
02/16/2009
Mykele - would you please email me your peanut brittle recipe? Thanks. ashleigh.moses@ comcast.net
Martha Stewart Member
02/07/2009
Sounds like a must have! Mykele me too...please. joannearkush@mac.com. Thank You.
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Martha Stewart Member
02/04/2009
Mykele, could you PLEASE send me your famous recipe for Peanut Brittle at my email address, nancymonahan_3@hotmail.com... I can't wait to try it. Thank you so much.
Martha Stewart Member
01/30/2009
This is a thankyou to all who asked for my microwave recipe ..including some from Australia and Israel!! Hope you all had sucess................Mykel
Martha Stewart Member
01/07/2009
People look in your cook books you will find all kinds of recipes for peanut brittle, I never make it , I leave it to my sister who makes it every year and hers turns out perfect every time. You have to quickly spread it thin. And you need a good candy thermometer.
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Martha Stewart Member
01/06/2009
Fredrikke, just tried the recipe and didn't spread out the brittle as you suggested...the result is a foam like structure inside and a very fragile product that crumbles too easily and the flavor is also affected so I will keep on spreading the mixture out as thin as possible for true brittle texture and results. My friends always claim it to be the perfect peanut brittle.
Martha Stewart Member
12/30/2008
The ingredient amounts are quite different from my recipe of 43 years. One thing I can share with anyone who makes peanute brittle is do not spread the brittle after pouring. Leave it alone. Let it bubble. The air pockets make it brittle and easy on the teeth. If you spread the candy iit will become extremely hard and solid. The air bubbles make it 'brittle' which means it breaks very easily. Another tip: If it is humid or rainy, the candy will not tack out.
Martha Stewart Member
12/27/2008
Hi Mykele: I would love to try your recipie. My email is kim7557@aol.com. Thanks so much.
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
cstockard76, your e-mail address was invalid and svsweets and queen lawlisa, I cannot e-mail without an address.. Mykele
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
I'm confused!?!?! Are people commenting on this one, or something else?
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
I agree! Did anyone make this as is?
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
are you kidding? I was looking to see comments on this recipe and all I see are people asking for another one. Did anyone make the one printed here? GEEZ!!!
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
mykele...also please send me the recipe! anicra@yahoo.com Thanks and happy holidays to you and yours! Can't wait to try your recipe. Thank you in advance!!
Martha Stewart Member
12/26/2008
mykele...also please send me the recipe! purr1358@telus.net Thanks and happy holidays to you and yours from Calgary Alberta Canada!
Martha Stewart Member
12/25/2008
Thanks mykele and Merry Christmas to you and yours from Mountain City, TN
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
I was amazed at the number of requests. I can only fwd the recipe to your e-mail addresses. I don't know how to post the recipe on the website......probably not a welcome action from MWS group. It is Christmas eve and I need to knock off to finish wrapping. Notice to all with microwaves over 1300 wa tts to adjust cooking time a bit lower to prevent burning. Myke,,,,,,, Merry Christmas from Fort Collins Colorado
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
The MW recipe is: Cook 1 C sugar, 1/2 C corn syrup and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes, uncovered, in a pyrex 2 QT bowl. Stir. Repeat cooking 2 minutes and stirring for 6minutes. Add peanuts. Cook two minutes. If the brittle is not light amber, cook another minute. Add 1 T butter, 1 t soda and 1 t vanilla. Stir until butter melts. Quickly pour onto buttered, heated cookie sheet and spread thinly. I use raw peanuts and add them from the start. For a treat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
mykele...also please send me the recipe! jbowan9250@aol.com Thanks and happy holidays to you and yours!
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
mykele would u send me the recipe too PLEASE? my email is s.bravos@comcast.net... Have a very happy holiday!
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
Please post the recipe here for microwave brittle! Thanks! Sounds good.
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
I would love a copy as well mykele! that sonunds perfect for a few last minute gifts!
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
mykele would you please send me your recipe also to cbstockard76@gmail.com. I have friends serving overseas that would love it. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
.Mykele would you send your recipe to longn@knology.net. thank you and Merry Christmas.
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
mykele your recipe sounds awesome too. I'd love a copy please. Thanks
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
I would love the recipe too! I love peanut brittle and that recipe sounds fabulous! my email address is jnp_21@yahoo.com. thank you and Merry Christmas!
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
Carol, please e-mail me at myke43@msn.com and I will send the recipe to you. I promise to not do any nutty fwding to you after. Mykele
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
I would love your recipe mykele. Am planning to send some to my niece in Iraq.
Martha Stewart Member
12/24/2008
I can make 1 pound of brittle in less than 10 minutes in my microwave for less than $1.00......Only use 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup of syrup.....i cup salted dry roasted or honey roasted peanutes..... The receipients always want them every year. I have made 25 pounds this year so far. 1/2 inch thick is too thick.
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