11/21/2011
UPDATE: Sadly, the original recipe I linked to located at The Nut Factory’s page was taken down. In the meantime, I’m going to try a few other soft peanut brittle recipes and will update soon. Thanks.
UPDATE 2: Okay! Here’s another version. This makes 1 1/4 pounds, and in my opinion it’s more reliable than the other recipe. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Soft Peanut Brittle
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
A peanut brittle with a texture a little softer than a Butterfinger candy bar.
Author: Cookie Madness
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- Soft Peanut Brittle
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in1 teaspoon water
- 1 cup peanut butter, mainstream type like regular JIF or Skippy
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cups peanuts, lightly salted or unsalted (I use salted)
- Extra peanuts, finely chopped, for sprinkling on top (optional)
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with non-stick foil or parchment paper.
- Dissolve baking soda in water and set next to the stove.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, heat the peanut butter for 30 seconds or until it is soft and warm. Add the vanilla to the peanut butter.
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of water in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until a candy thermometer reads 275F. Lower heat to slightly, add butter and and peanuts and stir constantly over medium until candy thermometer reads 300 degrees.
- Remove from heat. Quickly stir in baking soda mixture and softened peanut butter mixture. Pour candy onto prepared cookie sheet and spread as thinly as you can. If you have trouble spreading it, grab a second sheet of parchment paper or non-stick foil and press it down slightly. It should be no more than 1/2 inch thick, but preferably thinner.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped nuts over the top if desired.
Notes
To get the right level of sweetness, it’s best to use mainstream peanut butter. I’ve made this with natural style and while it’s okay, it’s not quite as sturdy and definitely not as sweet.
The chopped peanuts are to make the candy look a little nicer. Some batches are prettier than others.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah yes… There is a saying that goes, A child with many names is a child that is loved many times. As is the case with this candy. I have seen this candy called Sponge Candy, Seafoam Candy, Honeycomb Candy etc. etc… It is quite tasty and very easy to make. Thanks for posting it!
Ha Ha! Maggi, you should read what I posted last week about Mexican Wedding cookies. I guess we both like the same quotes
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Woops! Missed that post. But yep, great minds think alike…
I love anything with peanut butter.
Your blog is full of so many delicious recipes, Anna!
Hi- I tried this recipe, and mine came out as extremely hard candy. I’m guessing it cooked too long, but I followed the temps you have listed. Have you encountered this? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Monique,
No, I haven’t encountered that, but I don’t make this recipe very often. I am going to make it again for a friend so I’ll see if I can troubleshoot for you. With all that peanut butter added at the end, it should not be hard. Did you accidentally cook the peanut butter?
Hi again, didn’t cook the peanut butter, but I did add the PB to the pan rather than the syrup to the PB- but I don’t think that is enough to cause the dramatic hardness… could it be old baking soda? Mine is a bit old.
Let me know how your next batch works out! thanks,
I made microwave Peanut brittle and it is hard but sticky and chewy.. Any ideas what causes this. I am so upset since my husband thinks I can make anything.
Kerry, just do what I do and blame the microwave. I can’t cook anything in that thing! I I can reheat things, but that’s it. Why don’t you try a regular peanut brittle recipe in a saucpan?
It could definitely be that the baking soda is a little old. I about killed my poor husband with flat, hard pancakes the other morning … ooops! Sorry honey!
I don’t know what I did wrong.. I’m very careful at following recipes, but mine came out very much like chewy taffy or caramel almost. Nothing like described, after looking forward to eating it and wasting all the ingredients. It’s just difficult and messy to eat, and not so great. Oh well.. I’ll try a different recipe maybe.
I was thinking now that maybe I should cook the corn syrup mixture longer? I’m not very experienced with candy making and maybe it just didn’t get to the “hard crack stage” ?
I bet it’s very yummy when it comes out right!
Just writing in response to those whose candy turned out too hard. I have made this many times and will never make the mistake again of using a top piece of wax paper to smoosh it down in the pan. Instead, I use two forks and, working frantically, spread it as evenly as possible. This candy is supposed to look imperfect but the taste more than compensates.
I was so excited to try this, but it didn’t turn out. I didn’t quite see how 1/4 cup water was going be enough to mix all the sugar and bring to a boil, so I added just a bit more. Then it didn’t set up right, either. It is sticky gooey mess.
I loved this recipe! I brought some to work for Christmas and EVERYONE wants a copy. Thank you so much! A local candy store sells this for way too much money and mine turned out just as good as theirs! Thanks again and Merry Christmas! A note to those who had problems, just follow the recipe exactly. Dont add extra water. I added the soda 1st to make it fluffy then added the peanut butter. And I thought I screwed up my 1st batch because it went over the temp it was supposed to reach, I wasnt prepared, but it still turned out great. Dont stress. After that I put my vanilla and soda in 2 seperate cups so when the time came it was all measured out and I just threw it in. Thanks again for a great recipe!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the tips! Hopefully they’ll help people out. I loved this recipe and a few people I know request this peanut brittle every year.
Ver interested in soft peanut brittle recipe doing it in the microwace. Have an ill friend who loves peanut brittle but can’t eat the real hard type. I have tried this recipe in the micro with no avail. Adjusting times and using a candy thermometer but no luck. Would so appreciate this recipe. Thank you