Grandma’S Christmas Brittle

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Servings: 2 Difficulty: Advanced
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Crispy, golden peanut brittle perfect for holiday gifting and festive snacking
Grandma's Christmas Brittle recipe image
Grandma's Christmas Brittle recipe image
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Grandma’S Christmas Brittle

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 2 Calories: 888.4

Description

This classic Grandmas Christmas Brittle is a timeless holiday treat that combines crunchy roasted peanuts with a crisp, caramelized sugar shell. The key to perfect brittle lies in reaching the hard-crack stage, resulting in a shatteringly crisp texture that melts on your tongue. Rich butter and a touch of vanilla add depth to the sweetness, while baking soda creates the signature airy, lacy structure. This nostalgic dessert is ideal for holiday cookie exchanges, gift baskets, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa during the winter season. Its easy to make in batches and stores well, making it a staple for any festive gathering.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (93C). Grease two large cookie sheets and place them in the oven to keep warm.
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup of water. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil.
  4. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees F (116C) (soft-ball stage).
  5. Stir in the butter, salt, and peanuts. Ensure the peanuts are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
  6. Continue heating and stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 300 degrees F (149C) (hard-crack stage).
  7. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the baking soda, 1 teaspoon of water, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
  8. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
  9. Quickly stir in the baking soda mixture. The brittle will foam up and lighten in color.
  10. Immediately pour half of the mixture onto each warm cookie sheet.
  11. Using a buttered metal spatula, spread the brittle quickly to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
  12. Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature until hard.
  13. Once cooled and set, break the brittle into irregular pieces.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 888.4kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12.2g19%
Saturated Fat 7.6g38%
Cholesterol 32.2mg11%
Sodium 100.4mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 201.9g68%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 189.6g
Protein 0.1g1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Store the brittle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Keep in a dry place to prevent it from becoming sticky due to humidity.

Be extremely careful when handling the hot sugar syrup, as it can cause severe burns. Do not leave the stove unattended while cooking the sugar mixture.

Substitute peanuts with almonds, pecans, or cashews for a different nutty flavor. Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the sugar mixture for a spiced variation.

A candy thermometer is essential for ensuring the sugar reaches the correct temperature. If you don't have one, drop a small amount of syrup into cold water; it should form hard, brittle threads that snap when bent.

Keywords: brittle, peanut brittle, christmas, holiday, candy, sweet, crispy, dessert, gift, traditional, roasted peanuts, caramel, homemade, festive, snack, vegetarian, baking, classic, grandma, winter
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