Amish Peanut Brittle Recipe

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This is an Amish peanut brittle recipe that is so delicious and melt in your mouth good. We give out our secrets for making this so light, crispy and airy. You’re sure to enjoy it!

amish peanut brittle
Amish Peanut Brittle. Photo by CookThink.

Tips for Making Brittle

The key for making a successful brittle is to be sure to cook the candy long enough so that it reaches the softball candy stage. If it is not cooked long enough, the brittle will turn out soft and not crisp. On the other hand if it’s cooked too long it will burn and won’t be any good.

Our other important tip is to use a candy thermometer. That’s the only way to achieve the exact required temperature.

Grandma’s Peanut Brittle

The Amish peanut brittle recipe is the one that my grandma used. I’m not sure what made it Amish or where my grandma obtained it. But peanut brittle was one of her favorite things to make and one of her favorite things to eat. Being a farmer’s wife, she was no doubt a good cook.

Making my Grandma’s Peanut Brittle is one of my favorite holiday traditions. This classic treat of salty-sweet perfection is surprisingly easy to make.

My grandma lived to be 91, and as long as I can remember every Christmas celebration included her homemade peanut brittle in some way or another. She made it for family gatherings and kept it on top of their old record player for anyone who wanted some. Then, when she was no longer able to make it, we made sure that she had some to enjoy.

amish peanut brittle water and sugar
amish peanut brittle boiling to hard crack
amish peanut brittle poured onto pan
amish peanut brittle hardening on sheet pan

Mom’s Best Peanut Brittle

Going back another generation, my mom has similar recollections of her mother making peanut brittle regularly. She agrees that the Amish peanut brittle is her mom’s best peanut brittle.

Amish Peanut Brittle Candy Recipes

I’m sure there are several variations of Amish Peanut Brittle Candy recipes. We’ve included several recipe variations below for your enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions about making Amish Peanut Brittle.

Do You Really Need A Candy Thermometer To Make Brittle?

The short answer is no, you don’t have to have a candy thermometer to make peanut brittle. However, we highly recommend having one for the best success. There are color cues and estimated times that can be followed as a guideline for this recipe. But those things are not exact. Using a candy thermometer is the most exact method for reaching the hard crack stage in your peanut brittle without burning it.

How Do You Store Peanut Brittle?

After peanut brittle has cooled and it has been cracked into pieces, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

What Ingredients Are In Peanut Brittle?

For our Amish Peanut Brittle recipe, you’ll need water, sugar, corn syrup, butter, peanuts, baking soda, vanilla and salt.

What Foods Are Brittle?

Peanut brittle and other food that are considered brittle, consist of flat, broken pieces of hard sugar. There are many recipes and varieties of brittle.

How Do You Make Peanut Brittle In The Microwave?

Making peanut brittle in the microwave is possible.  It can be difficult to achieve the hard crack candy stage without burning the ingredients in the microwave. So if you choose this method, proceed with caution.

amish peanut brittle cracked
Amish Peanut Brittle. Photo by CookThink.

Who Invented Peanut Brittle?

It’s not known specifically who invented peanut brittle, but it is thought to have originated with the Celts. It then made its way to America by way of Irish settlers. 

What is Peanut Brittle Made of?

Peanut brittle is made of sugar, water, salt, baking soda, peanuts, vanilla and butter.

Why Do You Add Baking Soda To Peanut Brittle?

Baking soda is one of the most important ingredients in peanut brittle. When it’s added, it creates a whole bunch of tiny air bubbles throughout the candy which makes it light and airy. Without baking soda, the brittle would be heavy and dense.

Why is My Peanut Brittle Soft?

If your peanut brittle comes out too soft or too sticky, it’s likely that it didn’t cook long enough. The candy needs to reach 300F degrees on your candy thermometer before it’s removed from the heat.

How Long Will Peanut Brittle Last?

Peanut brittle can last for about 2 months if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.  It is a great gift item that can be made ahead.

Can You Refrigerate Peanut Brittle?

No, we recommend not refrigerating peanut brittle for best results. If placed in the refrigerator, condensation tends to develop and compromises the finish of the candy making it sticky. It is best stored at room temperature.

amish peanut brittle cracked showing side
Amish Peanut Brittle. Photo by CookThink.

How Do You Make Grandma’s Peanut Brittle?

This recipe is my grandma’s recipe for peanut brittle. She made it every year for as long as I can remember and it was a family hit. She was really good at making it and was well-known for it. She loved peanuts and she loved peanut brittle. As a result of her love for it, our family grew to love it too. And now, whenever we see peanut brittle, we think of Grandma and remember our fondness of her life.

How to Make Amish Peanut Brittle

To make Amish Peanut Brittle, follow the recipe instructions below. The key is to use a candy thermometer to achieve great results. Then store your candy at room temperature after it has cooled and been cracked.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup water
2 cups sugar
¾ cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 pounds peanuts crushed
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
salt to taste

Instructions

1. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Crush peanuts, then set aside.

3. In a medium saucepan, mix together water, sugar and corn syrup. Heat until it reaches 260F degrees and the sugar has dissolved.

4. Add butter and peanuts. Cook until mixture reaches 300F degrees or the hard crack stage. Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla. Stir thoroughly.

5. Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Let cool completely.

6. Break the candy into pieces.

amish peanut brittle stack
Amish Peanut Brittle. Photo by CookThink.

Alternative Recipes

Following are some alternative recipes that are a spin off from Amish Peanut Brittle.

Pecan Brittle: A Twist on Peanut Brittle

You can use our recipe above and substitute pecans in place of the peanuts in the recipe. It gives it a bit more an upscale or richer feeling. And if you don’t like peanuts but you like pecans, it’s a good match.

How To Make Pecan Brittle – Christmas Time Treat Recipes

Pecan brittle can be made using our recipe above for Amish Peanut Brittle. Just trade out the peanuts for pecans and follow the instructions as written.

Recipe Finder: Soft Peanut Brittle

Soft peanut brittle is much like the inside of a Butterfinger candy bar. It has delicious shards of peanut butter. If you don’t like hard candy that sticks to your teeth, but you like peanut brittle, then this might be a new favorite for you.

Softy Brittle – My Favorite Peanut Brittle

To make soft peanut brittle, you’ll need 2 cups peanut butter, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 ½ cups corn syrup, ¼ cup water plus 2 tbsp, 2 tbsp butter, 2 cups peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla.

Soft Peanut Brittle – A Clone From the Davenport Hotel

To make soft peanut brittle, you’ll want to use the ingredients listed for softy brittle above and heat them until they reach 275F degrees on a candy thermometer. Lower heat and add butter and peanuts. Cook for about 5 minutes until the candy starts to turn brown and reaches 300F degree. Remove from the heat and add baking soda and vanilla. Pour candy mixture onto cookie sheet and spread thin. Allow to cool completely, then break into pieces.

amish peanut brittle crumbled
Amish Peanut Brittle. Photo by CookThink.

Amish Cashew Candy Crunch, Brittle, “Crack”

Use our recipe for Amish Peanut Brittle and just replace the peanuts with chopped cashews. Then you’ll have this recipe.

Amish Cashew Crunch Is A Christmas Favorite

There’s something about brittle or Amish Cashew Crunch that makes it a Christmas favorite. Many people make it at Christmastime and enjoy using it for gift giving purposes. It makes a great gift for someone that you don’t know what to buy or just plain think will enjoy it.

Amish Peanut Butter Whip Recipe

To make Amish Peanut Butter Whip Recipe, you’ll need ¾ cup peanut butter, 1 pint marshmallow crème, ½ cup hot water, 1 ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 2 tbsp Karo syrup.

Bring the syrup, sugar and water to a boil. Cool and add the remaining ingredients until it forms a nice, whipped consistency.

Amish Peanut Butter: Resistance is Futile

We might as well admit it up front.  If you like peanut butter, you’re going to find out that resistance is futile when making Amish Peanut Butter. You can use it as a spread on bread or rolls, to dip carrots or apples and just about any other way you desire.

Here are a few of my Holiday Favorites That We Bundle Up Together To Make The Best Holiday Goodie Plate

At Christmastime folks sometimes prepare homemade goodie plates to share with neighbors and friends.  Amish peanut brittle is good for this purpose, or for anytime really. If you’re making goodie plates, you might also consider adding popcorn balls and snowball cookies.

Popcorn Balls

Popcorn balls are kind of like a mix between caramel corn and Rice Krispie treats. They’re made with popcorn and they’re held together with a sweet, sugary, caramel mixture. They can be left white or have food coloring and sprinkles added into them for a more festive appearance.

Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies are small, round butter cookies made with chopped nuts. They’re rolled in powdered sugar to give them a snowy white appearance.

Don’t Forget to Pin This Recipe for my Grandma’s Peanut Brittle To Your Favorite Pinterest Board For Later.

Amish peanut brittle pinterest pin

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Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

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