Peanut Brittle

I have a friend who was amazed when she received a gift of homemade peanut brittle. She thought peanut brittle was one of those things you could only purchase at a store, but I assured her it was easy to make at home. Really tasty too. Be sure to check out the notes section below the recipe to find out how to keep peanut brittle nice and, well, brittle for up to 2 months.

Items needed to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3ovS9fE

• candy thermometer https://amzn.to/3szQSa4

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/3tkacXU

• silpat liner https://amzn.to/3Bj6uBx

• flat parchment paper sheets https://amzn.to/35FuEu2

• silicone spatula https://amzn.to/3huTlMv

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Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

makes about 2 pounds of brittle

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups white granulated sugar

• 1 cup light corn syrup

• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup cold water

• 1/2 teaspoon fine table salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups shelled, salted roasted peanuts

Directions

1. Line a half sheet pan with a silpat liner or parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a 4-quart or larger heavy-bottomed saucepan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, and salt; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes until the temperature reaches 300F - 310F on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).

3. Remove saucepan from heat and vigorously stir in baking soda and pure vanilla extract (don’t be alarmed when hot sugar syrup bubbles ferociously).

4. Quickly stir in peanuts and pour hot mixture immediately onto prepared half sheet pan; use a silicone spatula to spread mixture to about 1/4-inch thickness.

5. Allow brittle to cool completely before breaking into serving size pieces (this can take up to an hour). Store at room temperature in airtight container with parchment or wax paper between layers.

Notes

• You can spread the hot brittle mixture on parchment paper or a silpat liner, but I find the silpat liner a bit safer as it doesn’t move around on the sheet pan like parchment has a tendency to.

• I’ve been able to keep brittle crisp for up to two months. Here are my tips:

  • Make sure the brittle is completely cool before placing in storage container.

  • Be sure storage container is very airtight.

  • When opening storage container, replace lid quickly.

  • Keep brittle away from moisture/humidity (do not store in refrigerator).

  • Use parchment paper or wax paper between layers of brittle to keep the pieces from sticking together.

adapted from scratchpantry.com

Holiday Spiced Nut Mix

This Spiced Nut Mix is completely addictive! I love the sweet maple glaze, kissed with smoky chipotle, a pinch of cayenne, and finished with crunchy flaky sea salt. Salt, heat, smokey, and sweet - what’s not to love?

Holiday Spiced Nut Mix

makes about 1 1/2 quarts

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 cups mixed raw nuts, shelled

• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

• 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• pinch ground cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position.

• In a large bowl, combine dark brown sugar, pure maple syrup, melted butter, chipotle powder, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and cayenne pepper,; add nuts and stir until evenly coated.

• Pour nut mixture into an even layer on a parchment-lined half sheet pan; sprinkle with sea salt, and bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through.

• Remove from oven and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.