We're making peanut brittle for neighbor gifts this year. This is our family recipe for microwave peanut brittle that's quick and easy to make and tastes delicious. (Great for last minute gifts, too!)
1 1/2 cups salted dry roasted peanuts
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
Grease a glass dish or baking sheet and set aside (we used greased wax paper in the bottom of a large glass brownie dish).
In a glass bowl, combine peanuts, sugar and corn syrup. Cook in microwave 6-7 minutes, mixture should be bubbly and peanuts brown.
Mix in butter and vanilla. Cook in microwave 2-3 minutes more.
Working quickly, add baking soda and stir until just foamy. Pour onto prepared sheet and spread
Let cool 15 minutes or until set. Break apart and store in airtight container.
Notes: Even though my daughter, 10, makes this recipe, I'd recommend adults try it the first time. The glass bowl coming out of the microwave is extremely hot and you need to work very quickly to get the peanut brittle into the prepared pan. Having all the ingredients on hand and ready to go is the key to success here.
The first batch I made burned, so I reduced the time to 5 minutes and then 1 minute, and it turned out fine.
Posted by: Lisa Russell | December 21, 2008 at 05:47 AM
6 minutes seems to have been too long in our microwave. The peanuts are actually almost burned in some spots and the whole mixture has a little bit of a burned taste to it. Boo!
Promising, but I'll need to fiddle with the time when we make it again.
Posted by: AnotherKate | December 19, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Peanut Brittle brings back such strong memories for me. I remember that in 2nd or 3rd grade that our class was making peanut brittle. We could join in as soon as we finished our math worksheets. I was (and still am) a very slow worker and I missed the entire peanut brittle activity. But, my mom and my hero, got the recipe and made it with me that afternoon! We had a blast together! Not all pleasant, but with a great ending! I'm going to make this with my 11 year old! Thanks for such a great blog...I love visiting!
Posted by: Barbara in Minnesota | December 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Oh baby, I'm adding this to my list of treats to make this weekend! I can't promise that any of it will get to the neighbors, though. ;)
Posted by: kate | December 17, 2007 at 03:23 PM