Peanut Brittle Christmas Candy has an old timer feel to it. The only person I knew who made it was my Great Uncle Herald. I tried to recreate it one time when Aaron and I were first married and it did not turn out so I set the recipe aside and stuck to baking. Until Aaron said how much he liked Peanut Brittle, so we decided to be brave and give it another go. I know making candy of any kind can feel daunting. All the stirring, plus you need a candy thermometer! I promise if you’ll be brave, you’ll have the sweetest reward.

A few tips to get you started:

you MUST have a candy thermometer. It really is not possible to make it without one. Click here for our all time favorite - it’s a spatula and thermometer combined. It’s a game changer in the world of candy making. If you’ve ever used one of the thermometers that hooks to the side of the pan you’ll under stand why this is SO much better!
- word to the wise - don’t throw your thermometer in the sink. It’s digital, it won’t work if you get water on the battery/digital reader. Believer me, I tried. oops.
Have all of your ingredients ready before you start, once it’s time to add in the peanuts and baking soda you need to be ready to roll
Keep the temperature low - it’s not possible to make candy over high heat - it will only burn the sugar and make you irritated.
Go to the bathroom before you start, I know that sounds silly but believe me. It’s lame when you get half way thru and feel trapped at the stove. Get a mug of coffee and turn on the Christmas tunes so you can stir and enjoy some time to whistle while you work

Aaron’s Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

INGREDIENTS

16oz or 2 cups granulated sugar
12oz lite corn syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup water
½ cup butter cut into slices
12 oz or 2 ¼ cups dry roasted peanuts (we prefer salted)
1 teaspoon Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS

Before you begin stirring the candy line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper. This is where you’ll pour the peanut brittle once it’s done. We set the pan on hot pads on our counter right next to the stove so it’s easy to quickly pour the mixture out.
In a large deep sauce pan or pot, mix together the sugar, corn syrup, salt and water
Get your candy thermometer/spatula ready to go.
Prep the butter and set it to the side
Have your peanuts measured out and ready
Set your Baking Soda to the side, measured and ready to go.

NOW - you’re ready to make the Brittle.

Place the pot on your stove over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil. This takes about 6-7 minutes
Add the butter to the pan.
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and consistently. This is not a furious stirring, a slow and steady, sip your coffee and stir. Keep stirring until the candy thermometer reads 280 degrees F. This takes about 15 minutes
Add the peanuts to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring constantly, you can stir a little faster now until the candy thermometer reads 305 degrees F.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Stir quickly to incorporate. The baking soda puffs up the mixture making it more brittle once cooled. We’ve found it’s best to incorporate it quickly but not stir so much that it deflates. We stir for 30 seconds tops, stir fast and then pour!
Pour the mixture evenly onto the prepared parchment lined sheet pan. Use the spatula to spread It out to about a ¼ inch layer.
Let it cool at room temperature then break into pieces.

Store in a lidded tin with parchment paper in between the layers. It stays the freshest when stored in a cool dry area. We keep it in our Garage Pantry. If it’s stored somewhere warm it will get sticky.

It lasts for several weeks if you can hide it from everyone that long!

If you love this recipe, you’ll love making our Peppermint Fudge too. Plus we put 3 of our other family favorite fudge recipes into our Red Tin Treat ECookBook along with our Butter Toffee (this Almond Rocca minus the almonds) and so many other family holiday favorites.

We’re cheering you on as you stir and fill your kitchen with the sweetest memories.

If you make this, tag me @kellywelk on instagram!

Kelly's Favorite Kitchen Tools - Upcoming Events - Pinterest

In addition to the funds raised at The Freedom Dinners, we donate 10% of all profits from Ciderpress Lane to continue the freedom giving work of Atlas Free