I thought I was done with the holiday treats for this year and then I ran across my friend Sue’s recipe for Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle. I’d printed it to try a while back and I’d even picked up the peanuts at the store.
With a few free minutes this afternoon, it was the perfect chance to make it. In less than 10 minutes time, this candy was cooling on the counter!
This candy was so easy to make and completely delicious, I couldn’t resist squeezing in one more candy recipe this year. (And don’t give all of this peanut brittle away too quickly, I have an awesome use for a few pieces of the candy tomorrow!!)
You can crush up the peanut brittle and create a tasty treat of Peanut Brittle Ice Cream.
COOK’S NOTE: I had trouble finding roasted and salted Spanish peanuts in my grocery store, so I wound buying raw Spanish peanuts. I roasted them in the oven for a few minutes (just toss them onto a dry pan and let them roast until fragrant) and I added a pinch of salt to the recipe when I added the peanuts to the candy. The peanut brittle works great both ways.
Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle
recipe lightly adapted from The View from Great Island
Yield: 8-12 servings
1 cup sugar
½ cup light corn syrup or brown rice syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup Spanish peanuts, roasted and salted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
Heat the oven to the lowest setting. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat and place it in the oven to warm.
Stir together the sugar and syrup in a large glass bowl and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir again and cook an additional 3 minutes. Stir in butter as it melts and then stir in the peanuts. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and baking soda.
Quickly pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet. Spread the candy as flat as possible with a spatula. (Lightly buttering the spatula will help make it easier to spread.) Let the candy sit at room temperature until it hardens, about 20-30 minutes. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. Enjoy!
Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup or brown rice syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup Spanish peanuts roasted and salted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Heat the oven to the lowest setting. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat and place it in the oven to warm.
- Stir together the sugar and syrup in a large glass bowl and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir again and cook an additional 3 minutes. Stir in butter as it melts and then stir in the peanuts. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and baking soda.
- Quickly pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet. Spread the candy as flat as possible with a spatula. (Lightly buttering the spatula will help make it easier to spread.) Let the candy sit at room temperature until it hardens, about 20-30 minutes. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. Enjoy!
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY: Pulled Pork Carnitas
Sue/the view from great island says
This stuff is magic!
heritage51 says
I HAVE MADE THIS SINCE 1979 WHEN I GOT MY FIRST MICROWAVE YUMMY
auzzierun says
I had just searched your site last night for a Peanut brittle recipe, you must have esp, LOL. Thank you for sharing your friends recipe.
Sue says
Is there a difference using roasted peanuts opposed to raw peanuts? I have always used the raw ones and now having trouble finding them. Thanks for the info.
Mary says
I’ve used both types without any issue. Enjoy!
Debra says
Just tried this recipe. It was great. Couldn’t wait for it to cool. Had to break a piece off. Good warm to
Edna says
Going to try this. I have always made mine in a skillet. This sounds easier
Sue says
I definitely want to try this . Microwave on high? And how long does the pan need to warm in the oven? Thank you!
Nancy says
I have a 700 watt microwave. Do I need to adjust the cooking time?
Mary says
Sorry, I have no idea what the wattage of my microwave is. I’d watch closely and adjust as needed.
Debbie Ratliff says
What wattage microwave did you use?
Kathy Derby says
I made this recipe today but mine turned out brown, not blonde.
Any suggestions?
Thanks