Tracey has been writing online for over 10 years. She also is a graphical artist for social media sites. She loves writing about home life!

The Original Peanut Brittle Recipe

Every Christmas I look forward to making and eating peanut brittle, because I have what I like to call: The Original Recipe.

What I mean is that the recipe that I use came from my grandma, which she got from her mom. It is old! Grandma used to make it every Christmas and send a big box to us. She and grandpa lived on a farm down South. It is the most delicious recipe for peanut brittle I have ever had—it just melts in your mouth.

Since grandma has been gone for 20+ years, I make it myself now, every Christmas. I give most of it away, since we really should not eat that much of it. But just a small taste and it brings me back to that time and place, the feeling of excitement when that festive box would arrive. The delicious flavor of it. A few pieces are all I need, each holiday, to relive a bit of my childhood.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 1/2 cups Karo syrup (can use corn syrup)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups of raw, unsalted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 rounded teaspoons baking soda

Instructions

1. Boil sugar, syrup, and water until it threads, then reduce heat.
2. Add raw, unsalted peanuts and stir until mixed.
3. Continue to stir until the mixture is a golden brown.
4. Add butter, vanilla, and baking soda and stir quickly.
5. As soon as it is mixed, pour mixture into a greased pan and let cool.
6. Break into pieces.

Rate this Recipe

Do you have a special treat that takes you back to your childhood at Christmas time? I'd love you to share it!

Ann810 from Sunny Cali on February 27, 2019:

The homemade peanut brittle is great, the recipe can be customized for each batch. Thank you

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on September 29, 2017:

This is something I've never made before. I will be this year as hubby loves it. Thanks for sharing!

Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on June 22, 2017:

I love peanut brittle but I have not made myself yet. Can I use another syrup if I can´t find corn syrup? Thanks. I would love to try this.

Carol Taylor from Thailand on June 08, 2017:

I have never heard the term " Threading" what does that mean? Our mum used to make sugar mice in pretty colours. A nice recipe though and hubby likes peanut brittle which we cannot get here so I will definitely try this one.. ;0

Barbara Radisavljevic from Templeton, CA on November 30, 2016:

Funny how certain traditional family foods can bring back memories of happy times. Maybe that's part of what makes them taste so good. I wonder how this would be with almonds instead of peanuts?

ideadesigns on January 05, 2015:

Talk about awesome! Peanut Brittle just like they use to make. YUM!

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on November 26, 2013:

My uncle used to make a pecan log that was super tasty. I should look for a recipe for that.

Cheryl Fay Mikesell from Mondovi, WI on November 22, 2013:

YUM! Haven't had this in ages! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Phoebs78 on November 11, 2013:

This looks delicious, I'm going to make this!

golfstrongly on November 07, 2013:

Grandma sure knew what she was doing!

SteveKaye on November 07, 2013:

So that's why this tastes so good. It's made with yummy ingredients. Congratulations on posting this recipe. Yum!

Nancy Carol Brown Hardin from Las Vegas, NV on November 07, 2013:

Years ago when my children were little, I made some peanut brittle, only I forgot the baking soda. Of course the candy turned out so hard it could break teeth. Never tried it again, haha! If a person remembers to do it right (unlike me) this will be the BEST peanut brittle they've ever tasted! YUM and more YUM!

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 07, 2013:

@SusanDeppner: Thanks!

Susan Deppner from Arkansas USA on November 07, 2013:

Love the picture - it looks good enough to eat!

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 05, 2013:

@Elyn MacInnis: Innovative! Well done, thanks for sharing!

Elyn MacInnis from Shanghai, China on November 05, 2013:

I love peanut brittle. We have a friend who used to give it to the family, but they have passed away, and now we need to learn how to make our own! We always bought "lucky Marzipan pigs" from the German butcher up the street for stockings. We can't get them in China, so I buy almond paste, tint it pink, and make funny piggies of our own.

Eugene Samuel Monaco from Lakewood New York on November 04, 2013:

Thanks for this great recipe and I'm glad you have such wonderful memories

RoadMonkey on November 04, 2013:

I used to love peanut brittle, bought in the shop, I never saw anyone make it. But my granny used to love making toffee and fudge and she should NOT have been eating lots of it. We used to get a SHARE of it! LOL

Erin Mellor from Europe on November 03, 2013:

I have a stack of cashews that need eating this month, I think I'll try making cashew brittle

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 02, 2013:

@Boyd Carter: You are absolutely right ! Thanks!

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 02, 2013:

@ecogranny: Yes there is, I brings back such warm memories.

Kathryn Grace from San Francisco on November 02, 2013:

Oh, my waistline, I do not think I could settle for just a few pieces. Peanut brittle is a true weakness I overcome only by never buying or making it, but I'm hooked. Going to have to give this one a try this holiday season. Thank you for sharing a family heirloom recipe. There is something quite tender about such recipes, yes?

Stanley Green from Czech Republic on November 02, 2013:

Chocolate figurines... we used to get them from our parents few days before Christmas :)

Art Inspired on November 02, 2013:

Making peanut brittle at holiday time is also our family tradition. There is nothing like eating home cooked food! Make it a great day!

Margaret Schindel from Massachusetts on November 01, 2013:

I developed a love for baking at a very young age, and my mom, my sister and I used to make holiday cookies and petit fours together. Decorating the petit fours was a huge treat for me! Thanks so much for sharing your grandma's yummy-sounding peanut brittle recipe. :)

LoriBeninger on November 01, 2013:

This reminds me of the delicious p-nut brittle my family used to make. Nothing like it. Great lens.

Boyd Carter on November 01, 2013:

Hello Jadelynx, it would probably be the same as yours. I'm from Mississippi and have a similar recipe. You might want to warn your readers that when you add the baking soda, the volume will double, so use a pan that is big enough!

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 01, 2013:

@tonyleather: I've never had one.......adding to my Bucket List. :)

Tracey Boyer (author) from Michigan on November 01, 2013:

@MaggiePowell: Sounds Yummy ! I love chocolate.

MaggiePowell on November 01, 2013:

Chocolate... Christmas to me is smooth German Chocolate.

tonyleather on November 01, 2013:

My own personal treat is sherry trifle! It was a real luxury when I was a kid!

Jogalog on November 01, 2013:

My husband would love me to make this for him.

sagebrushmama on November 01, 2013:

This looks like a great recipe to try during the holidays! Treat baking overall takes me straight back to my childhood...when I was 11, my baby brother was born just a little over a week before Christmas, and I did all the family baking that year!

Renaissance Woman from Colorado on October 31, 2013:

Peanut brittle definitely takes me back to some special Christmas memories. Thanks for sharing this original family recipe.