Scrumptious Soft Peanut Brittle

This golden Soft Peanut Brittle is studded with nuts and packed with peanut butter flavor. Based on the ingredients, I expected this candy to taste good. What surprised me was the texture. When your first bite buckles into buttery soft shards like the heart of a Butterfinger, you’ll be hooked.

Pieces of Scrumptious Soft Peanut Brittle in a white dish.

Like the Heart of a Butterfinger

A tile of golden brittle studded with peanuts makes a tempting addition to any snack or dessert tray. As it cracks into soft layered shards when you break off a piece, intrigue is added to the equation. When your first bite buckles in a melting soft crunch like the heart of a Butterfinger candy bar, you’re hooked.

At least that’s how it went down in my kitchen. Making Soft Peanut Brittle for the first time, I expected it to taste delicious. What surprised me was just how closely the texture resembled that of a Butterfinger Bar. Any peanut candy fan will beg for more.

While Candy-making can be a challenge this recipe isn’t really difficult. Just be sure to prep all ingredients before you begin and arrange them so that they are easily accessible as you follow the recipe. You will need to watch the temperature of the candy carefully. You will also need to work quickly and with caution when it reaches the correct temperature. That said, after you make Soft Peanut Brittle for the first time, I think you will want to make it again and again.

Large Pieces of Scrumptious Soft Peanut Brittle displayed on a wood tray.

Soft Peanut-Buttery Brittle

This recipe comes from a post at Wives with Knives that was published some years ago. When I saw it my interest was piqued. A recipe that promises to so closely resemble my family’s favorite candy bar needs to be tried. When I finally made this soft peanut-buttery brittle I found out those promises were no exaggeration. Scrumptious Soft Peanut Brittle was a huge hit with my friends and family.

This Peanut Brittle is so good I am going to make more of it to give as gifts this holiday season. It pairs well with Christmas specialties adding nuts and soft crunch along with buttery flavor to an assortment of Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread and Chocolate.

Scrumptious Soft Peanut Brittle

Course: Cookies and CandyCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

18

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

30

minutes

This golden brittle is studded with peanuts and buckles into layers of buttery soft shards with each bite. Be sure to have your ingredients measured and at hand so that you can finish the brittle quickly and carefully when the time is right.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

  • 1/4 cup water plus 2 teaspoons, divided use

  • 2 Tablespoons butter

  • 2 cups peanuts, raw or roasted

  • 1 teaspooon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  • Generously butter a large rimmed cookie sheet (I used a heavy 11 x 17-inch nonstick baking sheet).
  • Dissolve baking soda in 2 teaspoons of water. Set aside.
  • In the top of a double boiler heat the peanut butter over simmering water until melted, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan with the tip of the thermometer resting near but not touching the bottom of the pan.
  • Cook the syrup mixture over high heat until it reaches 275F. Lower the heat to medium and add the butter. Stir until melted.
  • Add peanuts. Continue cooking, stirring continuously for about five more minutes, until the syrup begins to turn brown and the thermometer reads 300F.
  • Remove from heat. Add the baking soda solution you have set aside and the vanilla.
  • Working quickly and carefully, fold in the softened peanut butter, stirring gently. Then pour the candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Working quickly, spread it as thin as possible.
  • Once cool, break the brittle into large tiles or bite-sized pieces. Package some for gift giving and share the rest. It makes quite a bit but it won’t last long.
  • Enjoy!

10 Comments

  1. When do I add the peanuts.

    • Hi, Kerry. The peanuts are added just after Step 5 in the recipe instructions. Thank you for noticing that step was inadvertently left out when I updated my recipe format.
      I corrected my error and you will now see that Step 6 gives instructions for adding the peanuts. Thanks again for your careful reading and your comment. I hope you will love the Peanut Brittle!

  2. Laurie – I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for sharing your success.

  3. Laurie Leuze

    I just finished making two batches of this. It is as close to the Davenport Hotel Brittle or Bruttles Brittle in Spokane that I have ever tasted. Thank you so much for this recipe. My entire family moved away from Spokane a few years back and I am sending this to them this year. 1/10 of the cost! YES!!!!!!

  4. Grace and Ivy -This recipe is definitely worth a try, even if it takes a while (in my case, years) to get around to it! πŸ™‚

    Gypmar – Fun! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe and, seriously, that Butterfinger connection is not to be overlooked.

    Cathy – Thanks again. I had never heard of Soft Peanut Brittle before reading your post but now I would have to say it is the BEST Peanut Brittle ever!

  5. Cathy at Wives with Knives

    Hi Lisa – I'm so happy you liked this recipe. It's one of my family's favorite candies. For some reason I only think to make it at Christmas time. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

  6. It does taste just like Butterfingers but better! Thanks for posting the recipe–it won me a prize at my cookie exchange today πŸ™‚

  7. Looks so good. I want some right now. πŸ™‚ I am now wondering when I can carve some time to make it for myself. πŸ™‚

    Happy Holidays Lisa!

  8. i like a brittle brittle as much as the next person, but sometimes it pierces my gums, and i don't like that. a softer brittle sounds amazing to me!

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