Help - soft peanut brittle, instead of brittle

[samueljc]

When I am cooking peanut brittle I can't get the temperature up high enough and the brittle comes out gooey and soft instead of brittle and crackly. What am I doing wrong I leave it on the flames for quite a while boiling but it does not harden?

 

[letscook]

I once had that problem and found it to be the sugar.
Don't use a store brand Use only Dominio

 

[MrsLMB]

You have to get the sugar up to hard crack stage. What is the recipe you are using? Are you using a candy thermometer? Are you at high altitude?

 

[medtran49]

Use a candy thermometer and cook to hard crack stage temperature wise, don't rely on time mentioned in a recipe. There are some pretty good microwave recipes out there that have been mentioned in previous threads on here. I don't even bother with the stove top anymore when I make brittle. The microwave is a lot easier time and clean-up wise and makes a darn good brittle.

 

[Addie]

All excellent suggestions. Specially the candy thermometer.