Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle - Mama's Southern Recipes - Step by Step - How to Cook Tutorial

My dad and grandma used to have Peanut Brittle Battles every year in the days leading up to Christmas. They used Grandma's recipe (different than this one) and weren't battling for who did it best, just who'd finish first. They'd cook side by side on the stove at Grandma's. I helped them once or twice (I was grown when this started). After Grandma died a few years ago, Dad and I have continued the tradition but we call it Peanut Brittle Party instead. We don't race each other, instead, we work together on one batch, with a second pot at the ready and just make as many batches one after the other as we've energy and ingredients for. The recipe and method differs some from the one shown in this video. We put the base ingredients (no nuts) in and heat them to a certain temperature, monitored on a digital thermometer. It's fun sitting by the stove watching the temperature increase and excitedly calling out the numbers as it approaches the key temperature. That's when the nuts are added, and we let it cook some more without stirring until it reaches the final temperature. Again we sit by the stove and excitedly call out each increment. It doesn't go up steadily, sometimes it cools off and we'll make comments about that. But when it gets near "go time", we man our stations. Dad's responsibility is pulling it off the heat and stirring, stirring, stirring. Mine is dumping in the finishing ingredients (baking soda (I think), vanilla, and a tablespoon of butter). After the butter melts and everything is stirred in, Dad dumps it out on the cutting board I previously covered in heavy-duty non-stick foil. Our batches are too large for a baking pan, they'd be too thick. Grandma used to butter the bottom (underside) of the pan and spread on that, but a few years ago Dad discovered the foil and it worked so well that we now use that, no need to butter a surface, and the brittle isn't as slippery anymore. Then I have the job of spreading it all evenly and thinly. He then submerges the pot and utensils in a sink full of hot soapy water, to make cleaning easier. If you let it set too long on the pot, spoon, or spatula it hardens and becomes difficult to remove. We make a lot of the traditional peanut brittle, but we also like experimenting with different nuts (sometimes even mixing them, when we don't have enough nuts of one kind for a batch) and using honey instead of corn syrup. This year I want to try using flavored honey.

I made your recipe today, and I'm here to say it was delicious and so easy!! I ordered peanuts from Amazon but they won't be here for another two days. I couldn't wait and used chopped pecans I had in the pantry instead. Delicious!!! As soon as the Amazon peanuts get here, I will make another batch as I'm sure the pecan batch will be long gone by then. The flavor almost reminds me of Werther's. I'm one of the most picky eaters in the world, so trust me everyone......make this recipe if you have a sweet tooth!!

I am in a puddle because my mom made peanut brittle just like this every Christmas! Thank you for bringing back many wonderful memories!

I used your directions and it turned out wonderfully! Thank you for your help.

My first job as a teen was to make peanut brittle and Carmel corn for a candy store in Portland Oregon. This brings me memories

How fun to watch you make peanut brittle. I used to hang out in my grandma’s kitchen and watch and help and learn from her while she cooked on a wood stove. Oh, the memories and delicious smells from her kitchen. And now I’m 76 putting together family recipes for my grandkids and great-grandkids to keep traditions going forward. Thanks, Tammy.

I used to make large batches of peanut brittle to give away during the holidays at work. It’s so much quicker and easier to use a candy thermometer that shows the brittle stage. No guessing. I put my vanilla in before the baking soda. As soon as I added the soda, it volumes up, I immediately pour over sugar in large cookie trays, spread and let cool. Enjoy. PS, I also sprinkle sea salt on it for the salty sweet combination.

Love peanut brittle 18:16

Using cashews instead of peanuts are really good too

Also, I have no parents or grandparents, and I cannot tell you enough just how much I enjoy watching you and Chris in the kitchen. I'm a better cook because of you, and I can't wait until I can get all of your cookbooks 😊❤🍁

Hi Tammy! You’re looking beautiful in that new kitchen of yours! 😊 I love peanut brittle, it’s my weakness in life! And you’re right, it’s ruined when packaged with cookies. I wrote down your recipe to do a test run (or 2-3) so I perfect it for Christmas gift giving. Question: How much baking soda and vanilla do I add? Our neighbors and family will love this gift! I’ve been “brewing” bourbon vanilla for a couple of years now, should be perfect in this! Blessings to you.

Try adding pecan halves/pieces and some cinnamon. After spread out, sprinkle with sea salt.

Wondering if you’ve ever made peanut patties? I love those!

My daddy was from Alabama and called it parched. I would go to Dollar Farm Products and get the little red peanuts. 5 pounds would last him for quite a while. Spanish we called them. I believe they are grown now as dry land peanuts in my area. The irrigated peanuts are grown for oil and processed peanut products. My Southwest Georgia/ South Alabama is peanut country.

I love peanut brittle! My husband could live on it. 😄 This is such a good video, Ms. Tammy. You did good with the camera and mic all by yourself. I'm going to make a batch of this tomorrow. You're the best on YT! God bless y'all.

I make her peanut brittle all the time to give to the neighborhood kids. They love it! I love it! The best!

I agree - peanut brittle should be brown like caramel. Great recipe - I think I'll add it to my goodie gift box. Thanks Tammy!

I’m from SC and we parched our peanuts!

Everything looks beautiful in the kitchen. And your doing wonderful w/o Chris. The candy looks so yummy. Gods Blessings for Chris’s father to continue to recover. ❤🙏🏻❤️

This is a very nice Christmas gift and try pecans instead of peanuts that's good too😊happy Thanksgiving to tammy and Chris and followers and a blessed one