FAQs
The main reason why peanut brittle doesn't get hard and have the crunch we expect is because the sugar was not cooked long enough. The sugar needs to be cooked to what is called the hard crack stage, 300ºF.
Can you make money selling peanut brittle? ›
If you don't think a peanut brittle business can sustain itself, think again -- while it may sound like a niche product, if you make it well, you can make a living from it. Of course, making the best brittle around isn't all it takes.
Why put baking soda in peanut brittle? ›
Baking soda.
I talk about this in-depth below, but essentially baking soda creates the proper texture and flavor in any good peanut brittle recipe.
Why is my peanut brittle tacky? ›
Whether it's during the cooking, cooling, or storage process, moisture and humidity can ruin the best batch of brittle in minutes, leaving you with a soggy, sticky mess. This is why eliminating moisture anywhere you can is our top tip on how to store peanut brittle.
What makes brittle hard? ›
What Makes it Brittle? The sugar will be cooked to 300ºF (149ºC)—hard crack stage; which when set up would be hard like a lollipop. But peanut brittle is delicate and you can easily bite into it—how? The secret is in the baking soda.
Does weather affect making peanut brittle? ›
I've learned that brittle is better when made on a cool, dry day. When I've made the candy on a warmer, humid day, it tends to be a stickier brittle. This is because the brittle takes longer to cool, and it reaches a point where it is no longer evaporating moisture into the air.
How much does it cost to make a batch of peanut brittle? ›
We've been making this every Christmas season for the last twenty years for our friends and neighbors. We're sharing our top tips to help you avoid common mistakes when making peanut brittle. This recipe costs about $5.11 to make. It makes sixteen servings and costs approximately $0.31 per serving.
How do you harden peanut brittle? ›
If your peanut brittle is not hardening, it's because the sugar mixture did not get hot enough to properly caramelize, cool and become hard, crisp and crunchy. If you have this issue, next time, use a thermometer to make sure the peanut brittle mixture gets to 300°F.
How long does homemade peanut brittle last? ›
To store: Store peanut brittle (once it's completely cooled) in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate as the moisture from the fridge will cause the brittle to soften. Store for 6-8 weeks. To freeze: Peanut brittle can be frozen and stored up to 3 months.
Why do people put co*ke in peanuts? ›
History. The combination is believed to have developed in the South during the 1920s, as a snack for blue-collar workers that did not require them to wash their hands. It quickly became popular as a summer snack, especially in rural areas. The snack became an internet trend in 2018.
Those other liquid sugars have impurities that will burn at the higher temperature of making caramel, leading to a bitter-tasting brittle.
What is the interfering agent in peanut brittle? ›
Examples of interfering agents include corn syrup and cream of tartar. A key step in making brittle is heating the syrup to the proper temperature.
What makes peanut brittle too chewy? ›
Brittle loves to soak up moisture, making it chewy. If you notice it getting sticky, it's likely exposed to too much humidity.
Can peanut brittle go bad? ›
Properly stored peanut brittle can last for several weeks, so you can enjoy it over time.
What should the humidity be to make peanut brittle? ›
That's part of why candy making is so prevalent in winter; the best climate for making candy has a relative humidity of less than 35%, and cold air usually has less moisture than hot air.
How do you salvage soft peanut brittle? ›
I started on medium heat, but turned it down to a bit below medium. KEEP STIRRING. While it's still semi solid you MUST keep stirring or it WILL burn. I thought it was never going to turn into a liquid, but of course it did.
Why are my peanuts not getting soft? ›
Dried peanuts may require boiling up to 24 hours until they soften. If your water is hard, full of minerals, or you are boiling at high altitude, then your boiling times for dried peanuts may be greater than 24 hours.
How long does it take for brittle to harden? ›
How long does it take for peanut brittle to harden? This microwave peanut brittle starts to harden almost immediately once you finish cooking it and stirring in the baking soda. It will be completely hardened and ready to break into pieces in just 30 minutes.
Why did my peanut butter fudge not get hard? ›
The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.