Microwave Peanut Brittle

This classic sweet and salty microwave peanut brittle is a favorite to make during the holidays. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make from scratch.

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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 light corn syrup (I used Karo brand clear/light syrup)
• 1 cup raw peanuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

PRO TIP: Note that if you use a medium or dark corn syrup (Karo syrup) that your peanut brittle will become very dark and will not turn out like this recipe.  It will not only be a very dark color but will also be a much richer flavor than a traditional peanut brittle.

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. (My microwave is 1000 watts, which is pretty standard) Remove and give a quick stir. Return to microwave and microwave for 3 ½ minutes longer.

PRO TIP: DO NOT place the hot bowl into a cold sink or into (or under) water until the bowl is completely cool.  Allow the bowl to cool on the counter before trying to clean it.  You will risk the glass bowl shattering if the proper care is not taken.

Add vanilla and butter and stir well.

Microwave for one minute more. Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda. Mix well.

PRO TIP: CAUTION! You are working with very hot sugar and a very hot bowl with this recipe.  Make sure that you use great caution in handling both the brittle and the mixing bowl.  I highly suggest that you use a 2-quart (8 cup) microwave safe glass measuring bowl that has a handle for this recipe.  It will be much easier to transfer the hot bowl in, and out of, the microwave.  It will also make it much easier to handle while stirring the cooked sugars.

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:

• Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
• Dr Pepper Brownies
• Carmelitas
• Peanut Butter Balls
• Christmas Crunch

Pies & Cakes:

• Jello Poke Cake
• Icebox Cake
• Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
• No-Bake Oreo Pie

Microwave Peanut Brittle

5 from 1 vote

This classic sweet and salty microwave peanut brittle is a favorite to make during the holidays. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make from scratch.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 11 minutes

Servings 12

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Ingredients

  

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• 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.

Notes

Note: (My microwave is 1000 watts, which is pretty standard)

Nutrition

Sodium: 120mg | Calcium: 15mg | Vitamin A: 58IU | Sugar: 28g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 91mg | Cholesterol: 5mg | Calories: 192kcal | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fat: 8g | Protein: 3g | Carbohydrates: 30g | Iron: 1mg

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