Easy Soft Peanut Brittle Recipe

Name: Easy Soft Peanut Brittle Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 1 cup light corn syrup; ½ cup water; ¼ cup butter (or margarine); 2½ cups salted peanuts; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tsp baking soda

This easy Soft Peanut Brittle recipe is the perfect holiday treat! It takes less than 30 minutes to make with only seven simple ingredients! It's crunchy, sweet, salty, and addictive, making it the perfect homemade candy. Plus, it makes a great holiday gift!

Soft peanut brittle stacked on top of each other with a pan of the rest of the brittle in the background.

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This recipe will be your new favorite this holiday season if you are a peanut brittle lover. This hard candy softens when you take a bite and tastes like the inside of a Butterfinger candy bar.

This is a great recipe for holiday gatherings because it's so simple to make and always a hit with friends and family. I love whipping up a batch of this candy in my kitchen to serve my guests when they arrive.

Serve with Christmas Crack with Graham Crackers, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies With Cake Mix, and Air Fryer Sugar Cookies.

Why you'll love this recipe

It is sugary, crunchy, and tastes like the holidays.
This is a perfect recipe for a last-minute holiday treat.
It only takes 30 minutes to make.
You will succeed even if this is your first time at candy making.
Made with basic ingredients.
Great for parties and for giving as gifts.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Sugar. I used cane sugar, but you could also use granulated white sugar or brown sugar.
Light corn syrup. For a more robust flavor, use dark corn syrup.
Cold Water.
Butter. You could also use margarine. This gives the candy great flavor and makes it softer.
Peanuts, salted. For the best flavor, the peanuts need to be seasoned or salted. Use the best peanuts you can. Do not use old peanuts; the flavor will not be as good.
Vanilla extract. I used pure vanilla extract. You could also use artificial extract or almond extract.
Baking soda. Baking soda gives the peanut brittle a porous, delicate texture.

See the printable recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and ingredient amounts.

Ingredients for soft peanut brittle measured out and placed in white bowls, placed on a white table.

How to make soft peanut brittle candy

Quick overview

Prepare sheet pan.
Boil sugar mixture.
Add butter and peanuts.
Add baking soda and vanilla.
Cool and break into pieces.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best homemade peanut brittle. Read all instructions thoroughly before beginning.

Sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large pot.

Step 1: Place parchment paper or wax paper on a large-rimmed baking sheet and set aside - or grease the baking sheet with butter or vegetable spray. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large pot or Dutch oven. Clip a good candy thermometer to the side.

The sugar mixture boiling in a large pot with a candy thermometer on the side.

Step 2: Bring the syrup mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring often until the sugar dissolves. Boil until it reaches 235 degrees F when the candy enters the soft ball stage.

A spatula stirring in the butter and peanuts in a large pot.

Step 3: Add the butter and peanuts to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until a candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees F, the hard crack stage.

The foaming mixture being poured onto a greased cookie sheet with a rim.

Step 4: Remove the pot from heat when the candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees. Quickly add in the vanilla extract and baking soda and stir to combine. The baking soda will cause it to foam. Working quickly, pour the candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

The peanut brittle mixture poured onto a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 5: Let the cookie sheet cool until the candy hardens. I usually place the pan outside on the deck to cool it off quickly.

The cooled soft peanut brittle broken into large pieces on a baking sheet.

Step 6: Break the peanut brittle into bite-size portions with the tip of a knife.

Pro Tip: Cooking times may vary depending on whether you live at higher altitudes or sea level and use a gas stove or electric stove. Because a gas stove has constant heat, it will cook faster. However, because an electric element cycles on and off to maintain temperature as there is a cooling cycle, sometimes lower heat will be emitted. Therefore, it may take longer for the candy mixture to reach the right temperature.

Serving suggestions

Serve crushed peanut brittle on top of Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream.

Or, for a sweet Christmas treat, serve with Copycat Starbucks Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Starbucks Copycat Caramel Brulée Latte, or Starbucks Peppermint Mocha.

Expert Tips

Have all the ingredients measured out and ready to use before you start.
The secret of the candy is to stir constantly and work fast. Do not walk away.
Stir constantly so the hot mixture doesn't burn as it is cooked on high heat. It is beneficial to have someone stirring constantly while you pour in the ingredients at the right time.
When you pour the mixture into the baking sheet, DO NOT scrape the bottom of the pan. You can scrape the sides but not the bottom. The pot is so hot when the mixture reaches 300 degrees that it burns the second you stop stirring. If you scrape the bottom of the pot, you will scrape in burnt peanut brittle mixture, and your whole pan will taste burnt.
Soak the pot immediately after it is empty for easy cleanup.
Place the candy outside for quick cooling.

Additions & variations

Add pecans, almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts.
Sprinkle some sea salt or shredded coconut on top before it cools.
Add crystallized ginger and candied orange peel for another flavor profile.
Drizzle with chocolate sauce or melted dark chocolate after it cools to make it extra decadent.

Related Recipe: Crockpot Candy Crack

How to store peanut brittle

Fridge: Store the peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

Soft peanut brittle broken into large pieces for serving on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Recipe FAQs

Why did my peanut brittle not harden?

If your peanut brittle did not harden, it didn't cook long enough. It is essential to use a candy thermometer to get the best results.

Does peanut brittle stick to parchment paper?

No, peanut brittle does not stick to parchment paper.

How long does it take for peanut brittle to set?

It takes about 30 minutes at room temperature to set. I like to place it outside on my deck when its cold, where it will set in about 10 minutes.

How do you clean a pot after making peanut brittle?

As soon as the pot is empty, fill it with hot water with soap and let it soak for about 15 minutes. The candy will soften and will be able to be cleaned very easily.

What is the difference between hard and soft peanut brittle?

Hard peanut brittle is crunchy and flavorful because the sugar syrup is boiled until it becomes caramelized, giving the candy its brittle texture. Soft peanut brittle has a softer texture than hard because the sugar syrup used to make it is boiled for less time. It will not break your teeth when you bite into it - the candy melts in your mouth.

What is peanut brittle?

Peanut brittle is a type of candy with a sweet and salty taste. The salty taste comes from the peanuts mixed with the sugar and spread evenly throughout the brittle, giving the candy a crunchy texture. Peanut brittle is a popular holiday recipe usually eaten during Christmas.

More easy candy recipes

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