Grandma’s Christmas Brittle

Name: Grandma's Christmas Brittle
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 2-1/2 pounds.
Ingredients: 3 cups sugar; 1/2 cup light corn syrup; 1 cup water; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 jar (16 ounces) unsalted dry roasted peanuts; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whenever my grandmother was in the kitchen, everything had to be "just so" to guarantee her time-tested results. Watching her make this brittle is one of my favorite memories, and I'm glad I can pass on this delicious recipe.

Ingredients

3 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
1 jar (16 ounces) unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Grease two baking sheets and keep warm in a 200° oven. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reaches 240° (soft-ball stage). Stir in butter, salt and peanuts. Continue heating, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 300°.
Meanwhile, combine the baking soda, 1 teaspoon water and vanilla. Remove saucepan from the heat. Stir in baking soda mixture. Quickly pour half the mixture over each baking sheet. Spread with a buttered metal spatula to a 1/4-in. thickness. Cool. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 ounce-weight: 292 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 247mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Grandma's Christmas Brittle in Country Woman November/December 1992

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Jan364

Dec 7, 2015

Not too hard and not too soft. Great! Have been using for a couple of years and still love it. JC
Boovas

Jan 20, 2015

Excellent. My husband loves it so much I have already had to make two more batches. Very creamy texture . I agree with tracybreland that it takes longer than 15 minutes and like her, I am a first timer at this. Definitely a keeper.
tracyjbreland

Oct 23, 2014

This is wonderful!!! I have never made peanut brittle before nor used a candy thermometer. The cooking time was a lot longer than 15 minutes but the results were amazing, everyone in my family loves it!
imvideomom

Jul 18, 2014

A relative of ours gave us a HUGE can of peanuts and I was desperate to figure out how to use them up. This was the perfect recipe. I never made peanut brittle before, but this was very easy and tasted so much fresher than store bought brittle. Will make again should I receive another HUGE can of peanuts. :)
Helenw7olf

Feb 20, 2013

Made this twice everyone like it.
dianeak

Dec 9, 2012

This was my first time making peanut brittle - it turned out wonderful! Taste is excellent. I can't wait to give this brittle as gifts to family and friends.
idalagreca

Mar 11, 2012

Made this yesterday and it came out great! I did not have a candy thermometer so I googled how to make candy with out a thermometer and it came out perfect, family and friends were impressed.
mugscie

Feb 11, 2012

The best Peanut Brittle I ever made. Do not add extra butter as I did by mistake the first time I made it. Read the recipe wrong. Candy ended up with a funny texture and didn't really harden. Recipe is great as is.
langang

Dec 17, 2011

My first time making any candy. It was a long time to stir, but it turned out looking better than the picture and tasted so good.
twodogs16

Dec 17, 2011

It needs more of something. Maybe butter.