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Desserts

Dixie Peanut Brittle (Stovetop)

Dixie Peanut Brittle is a traditional stovetop candy made with raw peanuts, sugar, and corn syrup, cooked to the hard crack stage before being finished with butter and baking soda for its signature crisp texture.
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Ingredients

Peanut Brittle
  • 2 cups 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 3 cups raw shelled peanuts
  • 2 tbsp tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking soda

Equipment

  • Heavy saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Candy thermometer (recommended)
  • Butter knife or offset spatula
  • Buttered baking sheet or marble slab
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Instructions

  1. Butter a baking sheet or other heat-safe work surface and set it aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, light corn syrup, water, and salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Add the raw shelled peanuts to the boiling syrup. Reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly as the mixture continues to cook. Continue cooking until the syrup reaches the hard crack stage (293°F to 300°F) on a candy thermometer.
  3. Once the mixture reaches the hard crack stage, stir in the butter until completely melted and incorporated.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the baking soda. Beat rapidly until the mixture becomes light and foamy.
  5. Quickly pour the hot brittle onto the prepared buttered surface. Spread it to approximately ¼-inch thickness using a buttered spatula or knife if needed.
  6. Allow the brittle to cool completely. Once hardened, break it into pieces and store in an airtight container. The recipe makes approximately 2 pounds of peanut brittle.

  7. Tip

    If you do not have a candy thermometer, test for the hard crack stage by allowing a small amount of syrup to drip from a spoon into a bowl of ice water. If the threads become brittle and snap cleanly rather than bending, the syrup has reached the proper stage for peanut brittle.

Notes

Classic Homemade Stovetop Peanut Brittle

Dixie Peanut Brittle is a time-tested Southern candy that transforms simple pantry ingredients into a crisp, buttery confection filled with roasted peanut flavor. Cooking the syrup to the hard crack stage creates the brittle's signature snap, while baking soda introduces tiny air pockets that produce a lighter texture.
Although making peanut brittle requires careful attention to temperature, the process is straightforward when each ingredient is prepared ahead of time. The result is a homemade candy that's perfect for holiday gifts, family gatherings, or keeping on hand as a sweet snack.

Cooking to the Hard Crack Stage

The most important part of making peanut brittle is cooking the syrup to the hard crack stage, between 293°F and 300°F. A candy thermometer makes this easy, but the traditional ice water test also works when a thermometer isn't available. Once the syrup reaches the proper temperature, the butter and baking soda should be added immediately before pouring the mixture onto the prepared surface.
Working quickly during the final steps helps produce an even layer and the crisp texture that defines traditional peanut brittle.

A Southern Candy Tradition

Peanut brittle has remained a favorite homemade candy for generations because it stores well, travels easily, and makes an excellent homemade gift. Once cooled and broken into pieces, it stays crisp for days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Whether prepared during the holidays or enjoyed throughout the year, this classic recipe continues to showcase the natural flavor and crunch of quality peanuts.

Peanuts Make Every Batch Memorable

Quality peanuts are the foundation of great peanut brittle and have been grown across North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and other peanut-producing regions for generations. Their rich flavor and satisfying crunch make them one of the most recognizable ingredients in traditional American candy making.
Learn more about Where Peanuts Grow, explore The Peanut's Journey, or discover the different market classes in Peanut Types. Looking for more homemade sweets? Browse additional recipes in our Desserts collection.

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