Ahh, Oklahoma Nut Candy—old-school, sweet, and proudly simple. This is the classic Southern-style candy that’s somewhere between fudge and divinity, loaded with peanuts and made on the stovetop. No fancy tools, just patience and love.
Oklahoma Nut Candy (Classic Recipe)
Ingredients
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2 cups granulated sugar
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1 cup whole milk
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1/4 cup butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 1/2–2 cups peanuts (raw or roasted, unsalted)
Instructions
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Cook the Base
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and milk.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. -
Boil
Let the mixture come to a gentle boil.
Continue cooking, stirring often, until it thickens and turns a light caramel color
(about 10–15 minutes). -
Test for Doneness
Drop a small amount into cold water.
If it forms a soft ball, it’s ready. -
Finish the Candy
Remove from heat.
Stir in butter and vanilla, then quickly fold in the peanuts. -
Set
Spoon mixture onto wax paper or a buttered surface in small mounds.
Let cool completely until firm.
What Makes It Special
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Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture
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Sweet but nutty (never cloying)
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Tastes like something your grandma wrapped in wax paper 💛
Tips from the South
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Don’t stop stirring—it can scorch fast
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Humidity matters: dry days work best
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For extra richness, use half milk, half evaporated milk
If you want, I can share:
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a chocolate Oklahoma nut candy version
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a microwave shortcut
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or the exact church-cookbook version from the 1950s