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    Home » caramel

    Caramel peanut candy (recipe and video)

    Published: Feb 17, 2023 by Hannah · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This caramel peanut candy recipe features a sweet, soft, caramel packed with salty, crunchy peanuts.

    salted peanut caramel candy bars on table

    Soft and smooth caramel with peanuts are a beautiful balance of sweet and salty, with deep notes of caramelized sugar and peanut butter. These peanut caramel candy bars are everything you’d expect from caramel, and then some! They have the perfect soft and silky texture. The caramel is balanced out with course sea salt, and they are accented with deep peanut flavor from the roasted, salted peanuts in caramel.

    Caramels are such a wonderful candy to make. If you are looking for some other caramel ideas, check out these easy salted caramels or vanilla cream caramels.

    Ingredients

    With just a few simple ingredients, this caramel peanut candy comes together very quickly.

    • corn syrup
    • white sugar
    • heavy cream
    • evaporated milk
    • table salt
    • baking soda
    • butter
    • peanuts
    • optional - course sea salt for topping

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    The peanut caramel candy bars are simple and quick to make. The longest part of this process is waiting for the caramels to cool and set up. Caramels must rest a minimum of 6 hours (12 is better, 24 is best) before cutting and wrapping.

    Cooled caramel is referred to as a "slab."

    Cut the caramel slab into 1" caramel strips.

    Cut the caramel strips into 2.5" pieces

    salted peanut caramel candy bars on table

    Wrap each caramel piece individually using candy cello wraps, wax paper, or parchment paper.

    Hint: Pre-cut cello candy wrappers save time and are easy to use. You can find them on amazon or at most craft stores that also have a candy making section. For a piece that is 2.5" long, look for a 5" x 5" square.

    Substitutions

    • Glucose syrup -glucose syrup can be used in place of corn syrup
    • Brown sugar - use brown sugar instead of white white sugar for a very deep flavor and darker color.
    • Chopped pecans - pecans can be used in place of peanuts. Look for the chopped size and not whole pecans or diced pecans.

    Candy making is very scientific. I do not recommend making any other substitutions

    Variations

    If you are looking to add a bit more flavor to this caramel peanut candy, give these ideas a try:

    • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes after cooking to imbue heat into the dish
    • Cinnamon - Up to one tablespoon of cinnamon

    Equipment

    • thick bottomed, heavy duty pot
    • candy thermometer
    • 9" x 13" sheet pan
    • high heat spatula
    • parchment paper
    • knife for cutting
    • 5" x 5" candy wrappers (cello, wax, or parchment)

    Storage

    Store wrapped caramels in an airtight container at room temperature. Caramel peanut candy has a shelf life of 4-6 months before texture changes, and 9+ months before flavor changes.

    Top tip

    Have all of your ingredients weighed out and ready to go before you begin adding them to the pot. Make sure you have enough space to pour the hot caramel into the pan lined with parchment paper. You will be stirring the whole time for this recipe.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Dulce de leche cinnamon sugar cookies
    • Gingerbread molasses caramel with browned butter nougat
    • Viral caramel stuffed chocolate chip cookies
    • Pumpkin spice caramel & sweet cream nougat
    salted peanut caramel candy bars on table

    Caramel peanut candy

    This caramel peanut candy recipe features a sweet, soft, caramel packed with salty, crunchy peanuts.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Resting Time 6 hrs
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 35 pieces

    Equipment

    • thick bottomed heavy duty pot
    • candy thermometer
    • 9 x 13" sheet pan
    • parchment paper
    • high heat spatula or wooden spoon
    • knife
    • cello candy wrappers

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 oz evaporated milk 1 , 12 ounce can
    • 1 pint heavy cream 1 full pint (2 cups)
    • 56 grams butter 6 tablespoons
    • 200 grams sugar 1 cup
    • 400 grams corn syrup 1 ¼ cup
    • 4 grams baking soda ¼ teaspoon
    • 8 grams salt 1 teaspoon
    • 300 grams salted cocktail peanuts 1.5 cups

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare a 9" x 13" sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a thick bottomed, heavy duty pot, combine evaporated milk, heavy cream, butter, white sugar, corn syrup, salt, and baking soda.
    • Over medium heat, stirring constantly, dissolve ingredients and bring mix to a boil.
    • Once caramel is boiling, you may increase heat to medium high if desired.
    • Boil and stir until temperature reaches 236F. Turn off heat. Add in peanuts and stir until fully combined.
    • Pour on prepared parchment. Once caramel has cooled for ten minutes top it with an additional piece of parchment paper to cool completely.
    • Cool caramel for a minimum of 6 hours before cutting and wrapping.
    • Cut and wrap into 2.5" length x 1" wide strips. Store in an airtight container.

    Video

    Keyword caramel, caramel peanut candy, caramel with peanuts, easy salted caramels, peanut caramel candy bar, peanuts, peanuts in caramel
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Caramel Recipes

    • Peanut Butter Nougat Caramel Candy Bars
    • Dollywood inspired magic apple pie caramels
    • Caramel swirl in ice cream (caramel variegate)
    • How to make homemade star crunch

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    Hi, I'm Hannah! Candy obsessed and making everyone else that way too. I've spent over a decade in the candy industry, inventing sweets and snacks for the grocery store shelves. Now I'm showing you exactly how to make those top rated candies right out of your home kitchen. I want others to realize you can make real candy at home, really easily!

    More about me →

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