It’s National Peanut Brittle Day! Brittle was one of the first types of candy ever made. Many ancient cultures that had access to molasses, honey, or sugar, produced some form of it.

The first peanut brittle recipe appeared in an American cookbook, but the exact origin of the confection is uncertain. According to one account, peanut brittle was a Celtic dessert. The Celts covered peanuts in sugar and baked them, and this eventually evolved into a caramel bark.

Peanut brittle can be a little tricky to make. Most recipes call for a candy thermometer to allow the baker to regulate the exact temperature, and the results can be affected by weather! If brittle is made on a humid day it will not hold its shape.

To celebrate National Peanut Brittle Day, try making your own brittle or pick some up at your favorite candy shop!