Skip to main content

Peanut Brittle

This version of the all-time American favorite is crisp, chewy, and very peanutty. After trying it, you will probably never eat store-bought peanut brittle again.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 1/2 cups

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unflavored vegetable oil, such as safflower oil
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups toasted, salted peanuts

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Coat a baking sheet with the vegetable oil; set aside. In a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat, cook the sugar, the water, and the cream of tartar without stirring until it is a medium caramel color (about 8 minutes). Brush down the sides of the pan two times with a pastry brush dipped in warm water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

    Step 2

    Add the peanuts and stir with a wooden spoon to coat them completely with the caramel. Remove the pan from the heat, pour the mixture onto the oiled baking sheet, and spread it out with the wooden spoon. It is necessary to work very fast because the mixture sets up rapidly.

    Step 3

    Let the peanut brittle cool completely (about 30 minutes), then break it into pieces with your hands. In a tightly covered container, the brittle will keep for 1 week at room temperature

  2. VARIATION

    Step 4

    Substitute any toasted nuts for the peanuts.

Truffles, Candies, and Confections
Read More
Invert the ratio of gin to vermouth for a party-friendly and slightly lighter drinking experience.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Loosely inspired by pasta Amatriciana, a few pounds of zucchini stand in for tomatoes.
Like banana pudding cake and beer can chicken.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.