Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are Christmas at my Grandmother’s house. My extended family was huge and when everyone arrived the house was filled to overflowing. Cousins, aunts, and uncles spread through every room, spilling out onto the front and back porch no matter how cold the weather. Even though the dining room table and every available kitchen surface groaned under the weight of the goodies piled on top, everyone made a beeline to sample my aunt’s famous peanut brittle. Over the years, I added a topping to make it this chocolate drizzled peanut brittle recipe.
Chocolate Drizzled Peanut Brittle Recipe
Obviously, the secret ingredient behind her recipe was love. She carefully crafted her recipes, making sure she brought everyone their favorite dishes. She was always available to make requests, no matter how busy she was, and she spread sunshine wherever she went. I can’t make this recipe without remembering how everyone loved Aunt Kay. She’d be proud to have her legacy of love live on through her old-fashioned peanut brittle recipe even though I’ve adapted it to add a chocolate drizzle.
What You Need To Make Classic Peanut Brittle
Keep in mind that this is a classic recipe that is over 100 years old, having been passed down through at least 5 generations so some of the ingredients are not the healthiest nor what you would use daily.
- sugar
- light corn syrup
- raw peanuts if you can find them, if not toasted peanuts will work
- water
- salt
- vanilla extract, use real extract and not vanilla flavoring
- butter
- baking soda
- chocolate bark or chocolate chips for the topping
Helpful Candy Making Equipment
- heavy duty saucepan to help distribute heat evenly and prevent the mixture from burning
- wooden spoon
- candy thermometer-this is very important when cooking candy. If you try to guess the temperature it can cause the mixture to undercook and not harden or overcook and scorch. Either way, you won’t be able to eat the candy. No sense wasting all that hard work.
- waxed or parchment paper– to make cleanup easier– OR skip this step and use butter for greasing the pan
- baking sheet with sides -to prevent any candy from running off the sheet
- butter- for greasing the pan
Important Candy Making Hints:
- Because ingredients need to mixed in quickly at the end of the recipe, set all needed ingredients onto the counter before you begin. Measure the needed amounts of each ingredient and have it within reach, ready to stir in quickly.
- Measure out waxed or parchment paper before beginning the recipe and spritz with nonstick cooking spray. OR skip this step and generously rub thawed butter across the baking sheet to keep the mixture from sticking.
- Place the waxed paper or parchment paper onto the baking tray. It is important that this tray have sides! Place the tray into a warm oven for a few minutes or place it beside the stove eye you are using to help warm the sheet and hasten the hardening process.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the brittle after it has hardened.
Printable Recipe
Chocolate Drizzled Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 cup peanuts (preferably raw, unsalted)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 squares chocolate bark
Directions
- In a heavy saucepan, over medium heat, add sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in vanilla and butter. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook, stirring often, until the thermometer reaches 280 degrees. Quickly stir in peanuts.
- Continue cooking until the temperature reaches 305 degrees. Remove the mixture from the heat. Quickly stir in baking soda.
- Immediately spread across the greased baking sheet and allow to cool. It should harden in approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
- Place the chocolate bark into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for one minute. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over bark and allow to harden. (Approximately 5-10 minutes)
Break into squares.
I hope you enjoy this chocolate drizzled peanut brittle recipe as much as our family does! What is your favorite holiday treat from your childhood?
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Wow I use to eat peanut brittle all the time this looks absolutely amazing !
I am sure my family will love this brittle! Looks so delicious!
Yum! This looks like the perfect treat for the festive season and who dosen’t like some chocolate drizzled peanut brittle?
This recipe has my name all over it! My mom is coming over for Christmas Eve and we are doing some baking. I’ll have to try this with her.
My kids and i love peanut brittle. Aside for their sweetness, they’re my kids go to snack. Will definitely try this one! i can already tell my kids would love this too.
This is a lovely recipe and so appropriate in the festival season. The chocolate drizzles on the peanut brittle look so inviting. Would love to make some too.
I haven’t eaten peanut brittle for a very long time. This post got me craving for it.
I made peanut brittle for the first time this year, i will definitely be adding a chocolate drizzle next time. Sounds yummy!
Now that is a pretty amazing idea. The flavours work especially well together. I’d love to try making it myself.
I haven’t had peanut brittle in so long. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
This would be an amazing treat to make. I just love all things with chocolate, so it’s perfect.