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This old-fashioned easy microwave peanut brittle recipe is my mom’s. The perfect combination of sweet and salty, it has a satisfying crunch and addicting flavor. Because it’s so easy to make from scratch, this peanut brittle recipe is perfect for gifting to friends and family during the holidays — we often give boxes to our neighbors and my son’s teachers.
Psst, if you’re planning to gift some edible holiday gifts, check out these Christmas candy recipes and Christmas cookie ideas for more suggestions. And don’t miss our Gingerbread Cookies!
Microwave Peanut Brittle:
I snagged this old-fashioned candy recipe from my grandma’s house. It’s actually my mom’s microwave peanut brittle recipe, but Nannie loves making it too. Over the years, it’s become a traditional staple in the holiday baking line up.
I can remember my mom making this classic, golden homemade candy every Christmas when I was growing up. She would tuck it inside goody baskets to gift others and there was always a tin in our living room that I would sneak bites out of.
If you’ve never made peanut brittle before, you’ll be surprised by how easy this microwave peanut brittle is. (Here’s how you make peanut brittle the traditional way.)
If you want to batch your holiday baking, make these easy treats as well:
- Tiger fudge — only three ingredients
- This traditional peanut butter fudge is straight from my Southern granny’s recipe stash.
- Peppermint bark and rocky road are super easy to make!
Microwave Peanut Brittle Ingredients you will Love:
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup Karo syrup
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
How to Make Microwave Peanut Brittle
In a 1 ½ quart microwavable dish place the sugar, salt, syrup, and nuts. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Remove and give a quick stir. Return to microwave and microwave for 3 ½ minutes longer.
Add vanilla and butter and stir well.
Microwave for one minute more.Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda. Mix well.
Pour onto a well-buttered cookie sheet. Tilt the cookie sheet to spread the peanut brittle to a thin layer.
PRO TIP: instead of spreading the peanut brittle onto the buttered cookie sheet, hold the edges of the sheet and tilt the pan back and forth to let the brittle spread with a little help from gravity.
Let cool at least one hour until solid. Break into pieces to serve.
Important: Everything is very HOT. Use caution in each step from removing the bowl from the microwave to pouring the peanut brittle onto the cookie sheet. Even tilting the cookie sheet to spread the peanut brittle the cookie sheets will get warm to touch underneath!
How Long Will Microwave Peanut Brittle Last?
It will keep for up to two months. If people can keep their hands off it. 😉 It never lasts long at our house. Moisture softens peanut brittle, taking away that amazing crunch, so you’ll want to store the candy in an airtight, dry container.
For gifting, you can wrap in a cute tin or with tissue paper and a food-safe box.
I hope you’ll enjoy this sweet and salty classic microwave peanut brittle with your loved ones soon.
Holiday Dessert Recipes:
Pies & Cakes:
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup Karo syrup
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- In a 1 ½ quart microwavable dish place the sugar, salt, syrup and nuts. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Remove and give a quick stir.
- Return to microwave and microwave for 3 ½ minutes longer.
- Add vanilla and butter and stir well.
- Microwave for one minute more.
- Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda. Mix well.
- Pour onto a well-buttered cookie sheet.
- Tilt the cookie sheet to spread the peanut brittle to a thin layer.
- Let cool at least one hour until solid. Break into pieces to serve.
Any dessert in the microwave is a win for me!!! These are simple and delicious!