No Fail Peanut Brittle makes the perfect holiday food gift. It’s economical to make, it always turns out great, and everyone looks forward to receiving it every year.
We’ve been busy around here (as I’m sure we all have) finishing up shopping, creating gifts for teachers, watching kids perform in Christmas musicals, and making lots of treats, like this No Fail Peanut Brittle. We need things to not fail around here, because if you’ve read my previous Pear Ginger Vodka cocktail post, our wheels have been falling off big time recently.
Making this, though…totally nailed it. Luckily, since peanut brittle has a long shelf life, I can knock it out way ahead of time before things get too Christmas cray cray. However, I’m then left with the matter of hiding it from Ryan. Otherwise I’d only be left with peanut brittle shrapnel when I need to package it up for gifts.
Every Christmas Eve we deliver this, along with the rest our our homemade goodies, to our neighbors. Ryan and the kids are always in charge of delivering the Christmas plates, and in the true spirit of Christmas, they try to look as festively ridiculous as possible. Point in case – their selfie from last year.
Unfortunately I never make the rounds because I spend all daylight hours in my PJs, cleaning up the house, ironing Christmas Eve mass clothes, and getting things put together for our highly anticipated evening at Gram Gram and Poppy’s house.
All my hard work ironing and primping lasts approximately 30 seconds to nail a picture, and then…
all hope is lost when a posse of Christmas vagrants, who once resembled our once angelic children, moves in.
Later on in the evening, a very busy Santa pops in for an appearance (AKA FrankenClaus due to his uncanny resemblance to Uncle Frank). Some kids are more taken with him then others. Last year Elliot keenly deduced if he stared at the man in a big red suit long enough he’d cough up some presents.
We always cap off Christmas Eve night with the widely traditional Christmas Eve piñata because who doesn’t smash an object to smithereens on one of the holiest nights of the year?
Don’t forget to enjoy and embrace your own quirky family traditions this year, and I wish you the happiest of holidays, lots of love, and laughter!
HOW TO MAKE NO FAIL PEANUT BRITTLE:
SAVE THIS NO FAIL PEANUT BRITTLE TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!
And let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always pinning great recipes!
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup peanuts
- 2 tbsp. butter, softened
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- butter, for greasing
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Grease a large baking sheet with some butter.
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In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, salt, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to boil. Stir in peanuts.
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Set a candy thermometer in place and continue to cook and stir until temperature reaches exactly 300ºF. This will take about 15 minutes.
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Immediately remove from heat and stir in butter and baking soda vigorously. Pour onto the greased baking sheet. Spread with spoon and then pull more with two forks, until it almost fills up the baking sheet.
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Cool and break into pieces. Store in tin or another airtight container.
I don't double the recipe because you need to leave enough room in your saucepan for it to expand and boil. Instead, I just make it several times over if I need a larger quantity.
Store peanut brittle in tin or other airtight container. Will keep for a couple weeks.
Adapted from Allrecipes
OTHER RECIPES TO LOVE:
MORE RELATED RECIPES:
Homemade Peppermint Patties from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
WELCOME TO MAMAGOURMAND!
Chris says
Just made it myself and it’s delicious. Great recipe !
Melissa says
Thanks, Chris! So happy you liked it. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Katie Huff says
Just got done making this. It was my first attempt at peanut brittle and turned out great! Thank you. The only problem is that I can’t stop eating it. I want to give it as gifts but I’m not sure it’ll last that long.
Melissa says
That’s funny! When I make it I have to hide it from my husband or he will eat the entire thing before I can wrap it up and give it away! So glad you are enjoying it!
Sandi says
Love this recipe. It turned out perfect the first time! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Melissa says
I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. That always makes my day! I just wrote out my holiday baking list, and I don’t think there has ever been a year I haven’t made this.