This old-fashioned peanut brittle recipe is a classic holiday treat in our house…and this one has Peanut M&M’s sprinkled on top for a fun twist!
For the holidays, I teamed up with Collective Bias® and Mars to make this delicious Crunchy Peanut Brittle Recipe with Peanut M&Ms.
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a total sucker for Christmas cookies. And cheesecakes. And brownies. Ok, maybe I have a sweet tooth. Of all the delicious desserts out there, I’ve grown particularly fond of the combination of salty and sweet. Common sense suggests that salt shouldn’t pair well with a sweet dessert…but common sense is just wrong when it comes to this Peanut Brittle recipe! This treat is the perfect way to round out that Christmas cookie platter or even to pack in tins and give to the neighbors, teachers, postal workers, your favorite bloggers, etc. After all, who can turn down a delicious homemade peanut brittle recipe…especially when it’s mixed with Peanut M&Ms?!
As a kid, I always remember my mom saying that peanut brittle was her favorite childhood dessert. I’d save up my allowance every Christmas (and maybe “borrow” some quarters and dimes from my sister) to get my mother a box of peanut brittle for Christmas. I didn’t particularly enjoy peanut brittle back then, but oh how times have changed! Now I understand the addicting deliciousness of those pieces of peanut brittle hiding in a cookie tin in the kitchen. And this version is even tastier thanks to the colorful addition of Peanut M&Ms. I debated what color M&Ms to use, but in the end, I decided on the traditional color mix. You could certainly use the red-and-green mixed M&Ms if you’re making this peanut brittle recipe for gifts or a holiday party.
I’m not much for television commercials, and I usually just fast forward through them on the DVR (unless we’re talking Super Bowl commercials…then that’s a whole different story!). But I really enjoy the M&M commercials. You know, the ones where Red is always getting into some kind of trouble. I particularly loved the recent one with Red singing “I Would Do Anything For Love.” “Happy thoughts…happy thoughts…” So I give credit to the folks at Mars for coming up with commercials that actually make me want to stop and watch them!
If you’ve never made a peanut brittle recipe before, then you’re in for a treat…pun intended! Peanut brittle is incredibly easy to make, although it does require a candy thermometer to make sure the mixture reaches 300°F. (And since melted sugar is incredibly hot, make sure to use extra caution when pouring the mixture into the sheet pan.) Other than those simple little tips, just let the mixture cool for 30-45 minutes and you’re done!
Did you make this peanut brittle recipe at home? Leave a comment and let me know! Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!
Looking for more fun holiday treats? Check out some of my other favorite recipes:
Maple Glazed Mixed Nuts with Candied Bacon
Gluten Free Vanilla Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 5 oz. (1 stick + 2 Tbsp) unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups Peanut M&Ms
Instructions
- Soften 2 Tbsp of butter and then spread evenly across a large, rimmed sheet pan. Place pan in a warm (~150°F) oven.
- In a large saucepan, combine the remaining stick of butter with the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. (See note below on pan size.)
- Continue cooking over medium heat (stirring frequently) until temperature reaches 300 on a candy thermometer.
- While sugar mixture is heating, combine the baking soda, salt, and peanuts in a small bowl. Set aside. Measure out the vanilla extract and set aside.
- Once sugar mixture reaches 300°F, remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in baking soda, vanilla, salt, and peanuts. (This will cause the mixture to bubble up slightly, so use caution.)
- Immediately pour mixture onto greased, warm sheet pan; use a spatula to spread the mixture into a thin layer about 1/4" thick.
- Quickly scatter the peanut M&Ms on top of the mixture; lightly press M&Ms into brittle. (Use caution here as the brittle mixture is still very hot!)
- Let brittle cool for 30-45 minutes at room temperature; break into pieces before serving.
Notes
The brittle mixture will expand as it boils, so make sure to use a large saucepan instead of a small or medium one!
hahhaha, I love those commercials too. Never fast forward…Red is hilarious. This brittle is festive and perfect for any occasion!
Thanks, Zainab! I hope you are having a happy (and not too snowy) holidays so far!!
My dad loves peanut brittle, and we both love M&Ms. I can totally see us indulging on this brittle!
This brittle is pretty darned yummy…Thanks for stopping by, Carla!
What a great idea! Peanut butter and chocolate meet again!
Haha…I don’t think they ever left each other’s company in my house! 🙂
I’m so excited that you shared peanut brittle! I have never tried making it myself, this may be my motivation to do so! Thanks for sharing! #client
Peanut brittle is so fun to make…and it’s delicious! The only tip is to be careful with the hot sugar…other than that, you’ll be munching down on some tasty brittle before you know it! Thanks, Kristy!
Wow, this looks so good! I was wondering if I could use this recipe and photo in a school project. Thanks!
Hey Elizabeth! That is totally fine to use the picture and recipe for school, but please don’t use it for any commercial purposes. And if you make the recipe, remember to be careful…the melted sugar is really hot!!
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
No problem, Elizabeth…enjoy!!