Alison'S Peanut Brittle
Alison's Peanut Brittle offers a crunchy, sweet treat with rich peanut flavor, perfect for sharing during holidays or gifting to loved ones.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugar, syrup, and 1/3 cup water in a skillet.
- Cook to hard crack stage.
- Remove from heat and add baking soda.
- Add butter, vanilla extract, and peanuts.
- Turn out onto a buttered cookie sheet.
- Cool and crack into pieces.
Tips & Substitutions
For the best texture in your peanut brittle, ensure that your sugar mixture reaches the hard crack stage, which is around 300°F (149°C). If you prefer a nutty flavor, consider toasting the peanuts lightly before adding them. You can substitute light corn syrup with golden syrup if needed, but it may change the flavor slightly. Keep a close eye on the cooking process as sugar can burn quickly.
Serving Suggestions
Peanut brittle is a delightful snack that can be enjoyed on its own or served as a topping for desserts like ice cream. It pairs beautifully with a warm cup of The Best Hot Cocoa Mix for a cozy treat. Consider breaking it into smaller pieces for a sweet addition to gift bags or holiday treat boxes for friends and family.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crunch. Avoid refrigerating, as moisture can make it sticky. If it softens, you can try briefly placing it in a low oven to re-crisp. This treat is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored for up to two weeks.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Alison'S Peanut Brittle contains roughly 546 calories, with 2g protein, 97g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different nuts in this peanut brittle recipe?
Yes, you can substitute peanuts with other nuts like almonds, cashews, or pecans. Just keep in mind that different nuts may have varying oil contents, which can affect the final texture of the brittle. Roast the nuts lightly before adding them for enhanced flavor.
What should I do if my peanut brittle is too sticky?
If your peanut brittle turns out sticky, it may not have reached the hard crack stage during cooking. To remedy this, you can reheat it in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes, but be cautious not to burn it. Ensure that you monitor closely next time to achieve the right temperature.
How do I know when the sugar mixture is at the right temperature?
Using a candy thermometer is the most reliable method to check the sugar mixture's temperature. Aim for the hard crack stage, which is 300°F (149°C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can perform a cold water test by dropping a small amount of the mixture into cold water; it should form hard, brittle threads.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).