Can you recook homemade peanut brittle or fix it?

by Mary F
(Canada)

I need help. Does anyone know if you can you recook homemade peanut brittle or fix it?

I made a batch of peanut brittle, but I put the peanuts in too early and they burnt.

I want to melt the peanut brittle back down, take out the burnt peanuts and remake it properly. Can I do this?

Thanks in advance,
Mary

Hi Mary,

I'm sorry to hear that your peanut brittle didn't turn out as well as you hoped on the first time around.

(edited based on the comments below)

Good news! It IS possible to recook homemade peanut brittle once it's already set. Just be careful to reheat slowly and watch it like a hawk so you don't burn it! :) More comments below (thanks everyone!).

I hope you'll give it another try and that it works out beautifully for you!

Kind regards,
Angie

Comments for Can you recook homemade peanut brittle or fix it?

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Dec 26, 2021

Soft not britle NEW
by:

I cooked on top stove. Followed all directions but not hard. Did the oven for 15 min and it came out so liquid Ifearedspilling. Hours later it is still soft like chewing gum. What to do now?

Aug 10, 2021

Oven works but be careful NEW
by:

I put my sticky peanut brittle in the oven at 325 and watched it every 5 mins. After 10 mins, the caramel turned very brown. So, I stopped it there. If I went any longer, it would have been burned.

Feb 08, 2021

How?
by: Synthia

I was reading the questions about recooking peanut brittle mixture do I take the pans and put them in the oven or can I scraped the gooey mixture out and heat it in a pot?

Feb 08, 2021

Peanut Brittle not harden NEW
by: Synthia

Once I finished my peanut brittle I poured it in a pan to harden but it never did. I put it in the fridge to get hard, but no luck. My thought is I don’t think the temperature of the mixture got as high as it should have. Can I recook my mixture?

Dec 26, 2020

I need help with peanut brittle
by: Kasper Oner

Hello folks I’ve been making peanut brittle for years now but I’ve never been so careless when making it. This time I had a lot of pressure in making a lot of sweet edibles that I somehow added way too much butter and everything looked fine till I poured it onto the cookie sheet, then I knew something went wrong. I tried throwing it into the freezer it helped for a few seconds but went back to the gooey stage, what can I do to save it. Please help, God Bless & Happy Holidays to all thank you. Kasper

Dec 26, 2020

sticky peanut brittle
by: Carol

I have made the same recipe for 40 years. This year I have had 3 bad batches. My last batch looked beautiful! It set up and broke exactly as it should but when I tried to eat a piece it stuck to my teeth! After reading these comments I am going to try to save it by putting it in the oven at 325 for15 minutes. Fingers crossed!

Dec 26, 2020

Dec 21, 2020

Pecan Brittle
by: Rhonda

My pecan brittle was sticky. I just.put it in the oven. Hope your advice to re-cook works!

Dec 15, 2020

Thank You! It Worked!
by: Gay

I made some Bacon/Almond Brittle in the microwave and doubled the recipe but failed to cook it long enough. It was chewy and sticky, I thought at first it might be the bacon fat but decided to try the ideas here. It Worked!!
Thank you so much, I thought I might have to pitch it.

Dec 11, 2020

Yes, it works!!!
by: Dee

Discovered my candy thermometer had stopped working in middle of a batch of peanut brittle. It turned out soft and sticky - searched here for a solution. The oven at 325 degrees for 15 minutes worked just great. Thank you!

Dec 08, 2020

Undercooked Brittle
by: Robin

I put it back in the oven for 15 minutes @325 degrees and it hardened right up.

* Make sure your pan is big enough and watch closely- the baking soda has a tendency to boil over and make a big mess.

Aug 24, 2020

Sticky Peanut Brittle
by: Samantha

My peanut brittle is like soft toffee...I reheated on stovetop again slowly, it still would not set what have I done wrong...I dont want to throw it out please help!!!

Dec 04, 2019

fix for under cooked peanut brittle
by: Susanvh

I doubled my batch and forgot to double cook time. I was making microwave brittle. It came out too light and rubbery. I had left it on the parchment it was turned on to overnight then checked to see if the was resolution online. Someone else mentioned putting it back in microwave for 40 seconds.
So I cut it in half batches placed it in the middle of over sized parchment paper using high setting on my microwave I recooked it for 40 SECONDS at time. it took 3 times to get it that golden color. Be sure to check it after each 40 seconds. It worked !! I have nice golden brown brittle that breaks up like its supposed to.

Jun 04, 2019

Chewy peanut brittle
by: Pako`c

my peanut brittle came out chewy and the temperature was at 350

Dec 23, 2018

Fixing sticky peanut brittle
by: Connie

I’ve made pounds and pounds of p brittle and this year for the first time I had 5 batches that didn’t turn out and they were sticky. I was sick! I make 60-75 pounds of this every Christmas season and sell it, so my heart sunk when this happened. I read and read articles on fixing it so I finally put it back on a cookie sheet, not overlapping pieces, put it in the oven at 325 degrees for 15 minutes and let it melt in one large flat piece. I let it cool for a couple hours and broke it up and it was perfect My sticky was now fixed thank goodness !!!!

Feb 20, 2018

Didn't get hard
by: Pat

I poured out peanut brittle into pan but it didn't get hard. Can I fix?

Jan 30, 2018

give up
by: lois

I give up first batch to hard second to soft reheat it still no good iwill never do this again easy my foot

Dec 20, 2017

Re-cooking peanut brittle.
by: ShirleyJane

I forgot to add Vanilla and the soda before pouring it out to cool. I had to recook to add the vanilla and soda. Veery low heat untill it the sugar desolved, then turned the heat up stirring constantly until it reached 300 degrees. I added the Vanilla and soda, poured it to cool, it turned out Fantastic. Thank you thank you. God Bless you and Merry Christmas!!!!!

Dec 20, 2017

Baking soda
by: SS

First time of making cashew crunch. This recipe doesn't call for soda or syrup. I cooked it the way it said but it's just mushy and soft and a light brown color. I tried reheating on the stove and its no different. Do I need the soda or syrup and how much. The recipe was 1 cup each butter and sugar and 1 and 1/2 cups cashews
Thanks
SS

Aug 10, 2017

Yes you can save it
by: Sallyanne

I microwaved my nut brittle first time around in a plastic ice cream tub. Big mistake. It started to melt! I managed to save it as I was checking it all the time & continued the process using a glass measuring jug. I left it overnight to harden but it turned out soft. After coming across this site I took the advice and reheated gently on the hob, stirring all the time. When it was bubbling furiously (estimating that it could be approx 300 degrees) I did the brittle on the spoon water test & it went hard. I poured the mix back into an oven tray & Let it cool and it's absolutely yummy. I will definately be making this again. Thanks everyone for your advice x

Dec 28, 2016

microwave under cooked peanut brittle
by: Carrie

I under cooked my peanut brittle and just knew after about 10 minutes of pouring it into my cookie sheet that it wasn't going to set up so I added about a tsp more baking powder and PUT IT BACK IN THE MICROWAVE for about 7-9 min. Stirring after every 2 minutes. Tested with tooth pick and cold water until it was hard. It turned out great!

Dec 14, 2016

peanut brittle
by:

I have made peanut brittle for years but this year it turned to sugared peanuts. will try recooking like many posted. I did not have syrup but used the sub for it and will not try that again

Sep 27, 2016

Crumbly nut brittle
by: Ruchi

My nut brittle did not come out in chunks or pieces, when it was cold. It is very crumbly. Can I recook it on the stove? How can I cook enough to make it set, make pieces, when done.

Feb 04, 2016

Peanut brittle I was making peanut brittle I
by: JACK L.Ray

I was making peanut brittle but I forgot to put in the baking soda and vinegar or not vinegar and baking soda and vanilla and my peanut brittle it turned clear it's all clear its not brown like it should be what do I do can i reheat it up and put the other contents in it. Can you help me sincerely Jack Ray.

Dec 23, 2014

Don't bake it!
by: Nicole

I tried the baking method...it bubbled over all inside of my oven and the house is full of smoke. great times!

Dec 22, 2014

Can I just Put the Peanut Brittle in the over?
by: Yvonne

I read somewhere that I can just put my peanut brittle in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes and it will work to make it hard? Any comments? Will that actually work?

Dec 22, 2014

Caution with your nuts.
by: butterbear

My one caution is to make your decision based on the kind of nuts you put in the first time. There is no way to get the nuts back out of the mixture, and many (most?) will scorch as you reheat the sugar mixture to 300 degrees. I was able to get the "brittle" part I needed, but my pecans did scorch. Peanuts may be able to take higher heat.

Dec 21, 2014

I undercooked my peanut brittle
by: Kathy

I undercooked my peanut brittle but I did use a cnady thermometer and it did reach 300. I think 320 is best to reach hard crack stage. I knew it was undercooked when I ate a piece and it really stuck to my teeth. If it is cooked to the hard crack stage, that doesn't happen.
So, I put the beatifully broken pieces into a casserole dish and microwaved it. I watched it like a hawk until it became the correct color and now it is cooling. It is now cooled but the texture is not right I'll have to start over!!!

Dec 10, 2014

soft peanut brittle
by:

just resoften the dough in oven on baking sheet. pour back into pan on stove, reheat and add another tablespoon of baking soda, stir well while heating. pour back into well greesed baking sheet, then let harden. mine turned out great after reheatng it twice.

Jul 10, 2014

Fixing Homemade Peanut Brittle
by: Mark D.

Of course you can salvage undercooked peanut brittle! Place your soft-serve batch in the microwave for 40 secs. to soften it. Put it back on the stove with a little more water and reheat and stir. The trick is to get it @ 300 F.. You know you've reached it (you don't even need a candy thermomintor!) when the batch stays on the spoon when placed in cold water and it pulls off sticky, stringy thin, and brittle. Then remove from heat sourse, add 1 tbs. baking soda (hardener)..then pour onto your cookie sheet.
Marvelous!

May 26, 2014

Re-cooking Peanut Brittle
by: Michelle

I can't believe it worked! My husband made the peanut brittle and didn't cook it to the right temperature. Not only was it difficult to chew, but it didn't come as sweet. I put the brittle back in the pot and re melted it with a few drops of water...and after it 300 degrees, it re-hardened and was perfect!!

Dec 21, 2013

Keep trying it will work!
by: Linda W

I've made peanut brittle using an old Betty Crocker recipe that calls for adding a baking soda/water/vanilla mixture after cooking. I apparently didn't let mine get to the 300-degree temp it needs and it was pale yellow and gooey on the cookie sheet when I spread it out. I was afraid the soda mixture would make it not work to reheat it in the microwave, but what the heck, it's too expensive to waste. So I put it in a large glass bowl and nuked it on high but for only 10-15 seconds at a time till I stirred it thoroughly. About 5 of these turns and it was a beautiful, caramel color and turned as brittle as can be. There are probably lots of methods to use, but I never would have thought it would work until I read these posts. Thanks all and merry Christmas!

Jan 12, 2013

Soft peanut brittle
by: Anonymous

How long does it take for the peanut brittle to harden?

Dec 27, 2012

Re-cooked in the oven
by: Patsy

The batch that I recooked in the oven,@200 degrees, started turning dark, so I took it out, let it cool, then wrapped it in individual pieces, in waxed paper, & called it caramels with p-nuts. I didn't tell anyone it was failed p-nut brittle, & they loved it. I just couldn't see wasting all of the effort & money.

Dec 27, 2012

Second chance peanut brittle
by: Tracy A.

I make different candies all through out the year, and have for many years. I can tell you that I have had my brittle have its own ideas about what it was supposed to do more than once. I have always remelted my brittle every time this happens, my family calls it second chance brittle :) I find that adding a teaspoon of butter ( real butter ) before remelting helps alot, and melt it at the lowest tempature possible, stiring and folding it in on itself while you go, once your brittle scorches its over , you can not get that taste out of it. so a lower temp might take longer to melt it down and heat it up, but its worth it . And if all else fails , my daughter's second chance brittle failed on her once ( to soft ) and she melted it a 3rd time, mixed in so many peanuts you could no longer even tell it was a brittle mixture and made patties of the peanut mixture, once they cooled she dipped them in chocolate :) Happy candy making and hope that helps some :)

Dec 22, 2012

Fixing Peanut Brittle by Cooking Again
by: Angie from chocolate-candy-mall.com

I don't think you need to add more baking soda. Of all the people who have mentioned re-heating their brittle to salvage it, no one has said that they added more baking soda. Hope it works out for you. Let us know. :)

Dec 22, 2012

Baking soda?
by: Anonymous

If you reheat the brittle to cook it a little longer, do you add more baking soda befor you ur it out again?

Dec 15, 2012

P nut brittle too hard
by: Anonymous

My p-nut brittle is hard as a rock. What can I do, if anything?
I also have a pan that didn't set up. Can I put it in the oven to re-cook it, & @ what temp. & time?

Dec 08, 2012

first time peanut brittle was soft
by: Lets try again

Going to try and recook my brittle so soft and make 6 trays lets hope or its alot of money in the garbage.. did try the oven on 2 tryas not good started a fire and now cleaning that up thanks god I was in the kitchen or it would have been not good.. lets hope the recook works.. thanks for all the tips

Nov 17, 2012

Recook brittle
by: Anonymous

Glad you were able to recook your brittle, mine didn't work..happy cooking.

Dec 20, 2011

Good Help for a Bad Recipe
by: gardengirl

Parents magazine ran a recipe this month for microwave almond brittle that was SUPPOSED to be easy. Well, my $10 worth of ingredients came out as a very soft, flexible sheet, NOT brittle! Their recipe called for equal parts corn syrup and sugar- which I think is a mistake. Every other microwave brittle recipe I now see online uses much less corn syrup. sigh. SO, I'm going to try additional cooking time to see if I can rescue my efforts. Anyone have any idea how much additional time, or what clues to done-ness I'm looking for (color temp, etc.) Any help would be appreciated!

Dec 14, 2011

saved me
by: Anonymous

Thanks so much for all your posts! I was just googling my question on how to fix my brittle that I made it for the first time yesterday and I just don't want to throw it all out. Will try to re-heat it again today. Merry merry to all!

Dec 09, 2011

Peanut Brittle Success
by: Angie

Yes, Julie, it sounds like you are doing it right.

Good for you, Mwoods! I'm glad to hear that you gave it a try and that your peanut brittle came out so nicely.

Merry Christmas to you, too. :)

Dec 09, 2011

Yes you can
by: Mwoods

I did it. I was making brittle for my friends yearly bake and ornament exchange. Anyway, it took about five and a half minutes. I stir every minute. you could see the texture changing on my spoon. Be very careful when pouring but pour quickly and spread. It sets up quick.

Merry Christmas everyone 2011

Dec 05, 2011

peanut brittle
by: julie

Is the peanut brittle suppose to be a clear amber color before to tuns to what it's suppose to look like?

Oct 25, 2011

peanut brittle - not cooked enough
by: Anonymous

I have a commercial pizza oven -- was thinking of putting the pan in there and heating it up till more amber -- should I try?

Dec 20, 2010

worked great!
by: Anonymous

I just recooked mine on the stove, no problem. Comes out a little darker than normal but deelish.

Dec 17, 2010

thank you
by: Debra

thank you everone...my peanut brittle is too soft...guess i didnt cook it long enough...heading to the microwave now....the christmas brittle is not a waste...wooo hooo

Dec 16, 2010

reheating peanut brittle
by: Mommy Keats

So glad I found this site. Helped me fix my brittle. :) Thank you all. I never realised you could reheat the brittle if it didn't reach temp the first time. Whacked it bak in the pot and voila, best brittle ever.

Aug 31, 2010

Reheating Nut Brittle
by: divaone2002

I just made some cashew brittle, and was very nervous because it was not setting and was light in color, I decided to look refer to this site and see if i could fix the problem. To my surprise I was able to brittle . As long as the candy has not completely set, you can put it in the microwave until it becomes the color you want. YUM. Thanks for the advice.

Dec 20, 2009

Right brittle?
by: Anonymous

I just made a brittle of various nuts. In the recipe I was following it said to reach 300'...I did not wait , so I did it with a temperature of 250. The result is fine I guess. i have never made brittle before. It is not super hard....is it supposed to be??
Thank you

Dec 19, 2009

Reheat peanut brittle...
by: Angie

Hi Cheryl,

Thanks so much for letting us know that you CAN reheat peanut brittle if you didn't get it firm enough the first time around. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm so happy to be wrong. That's what I love about this site. Everyone is willing to share their experiences so we can all enjoy our candy making adventures more! :)

Dec 19, 2009

Recooking Peanut Brittle
by: Cheryl

YES! You CAN recook peanut brittle if it comes out too soft. I just recooked a batch in the microwave that had been cooked first on a stove. You have to be very careful (watchful) to make sure it doesn't burn and stir it a couple of times while it is reheating, but it CAN be done.

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