Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (2024)

Microwave Peanut Brittle is such an easy way to get the homemade peanut brittle you grew up eating. Just a few ingredients, a little time, is all it takes for this traditional holiday dessert recipe. Learn how to make peanut brittle today!

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (1)Peanut Brittle

We are having a “Bake-Swap” For our Church Small Group Tonight and so I pulled out an Old Peanut Brittle Recipe My Great Aunt had sent me a few years ago and decided to give it a try last night. This turned out GREAT and it was sooo easy. Much easier than the last Peanut Brittle Recipe I tried so I wanted to share it with all of you.

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (2)

What Does Baking Soda Do In Peanut Brittle

The baking soda in peanut brittle gives it a really airy and bubbly texture that creates tons of air bubbles in the peanut brittle. This is what gives it that unique crunchy and chewy texture it has, when it pairs next to the butter and syrup.

What Is Peanut Brittle Made Of

  • Corn Syrup
  • Butter
  • Raw Peanuts
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Salt
  • Baking Soda

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (3)

Why Did My Peanut Brittle Not Get Hard

The key to peanut brittle is ensuring you cook it long enough. If you don’t cook it long enough you will end up with a soft sticky mess that doesn’t harden properly. The mix has to get to the hard crack stage, or else it won’t work.

You will find the strands of sugar harden fast and break easily, instead of feeling sticky.

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Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (4)

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave!

Homemade peanut brittle made right in your microwave. This microwave peanut brittle is easy, and tasty. A traditional holiday dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup White Karo
  • 2 Cup Raw Peanuts
  • 2 Cup Sugar1 tsp. Salt
  • 2 Tablespoon Butter
  • 2 tsp. Vanilla
  • 2 tsp. Baking Soda

Instructions

  1. Start by pouring your karo syrup, raw peanuts, sugar and salt in a 3 quart casserole dish that is microwave safe. Then cook on high for 4 minutes.
  2. Remove from microwave, sti well then cook for an additional 4 minutes. Then repeat, again on stirring and cooking for another 4 minutes.
  3. Then remove again stir well and cook on high an additional two minutes.
  4. Then remove and add in your butter and vanilla extract. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
  5. Gently stir the baking soda in until the mixture is a light and fluffy.
  6. Pour onto a baking sheet that is lined and allow to cool for an hour. Break up and enjoy.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 servings Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 188Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 22910mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (9)

How Long Will Peanut Brittle Last

Peanut brittle will last two months. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. When it is properly stored you will find it will last right up to about two months. Which is a really long time!

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (10)

How Do You Break Peanut Brittle

Once your peanut brittle has hardened you will take a wooden spoon or the back of a butter knife and gently tap on the brittle. After a bit you will find it will begin to break into chunks. Then you can break into small or large pieces.

You can download the PDF Version of this Peanut Brittle Recipe if you want to print it off and try it for yourself.

Gift Peanut Brittle For The Holidays

I packaged these in Clear Celophane Bags I purchased at Hobby Lobby and I tied them with Some Red & Green Ribbon. Also I added in my Merry Christmas From The Schislers Gift Tags I ordered on Vistaprint!

You can still get the Free Address Labels Offer and use them as Gift Tags Here.

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (11)

What is your Favorite Recipe Idea for the Holidays? I’m thinking we should set up some kind of Recipe Exchange. I think everyone would love to swap recipes… Any Ideas on how to do that??? lol.

Peanut Brittle Recipe | Made in the Microwave! (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my homemade peanut brittle get hard? ›

The main reason why peanut brittle doesn't get hard and have the crunch we expect is because the sugar was not cooked long enough. The sugar needs to be cooked to what is called the hard crack stage, 300ºF.

How do you microwave raw peanuts? ›

Microwave oven roasting: Pour peanuts into colander or wire basket and wet thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt. Pour into small microwave safe casserole or pie plate. Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes; stir, microwave 2 1/2 minutes longer.

What does baking soda do for peanut brittle? ›

Baking soda is also very important at this stage since it reacts to the heat, creating carbon dioxide that aerates the caramel, enabling it to snap when someone bites into it rather than requiring them to gnaw at it until it breaks or pulls apart.

How do you keep peanut brittle crispy? ›

The candy will attract moisture from the air, making it unpleasantly sticky instead of shatteringly crisp. Once it's completely cool, transfer it to an airtight container.

Why is my peanut brittle still soft? ›

Didn't combine ingredients right. Didn't get it hot enough. You have to hit hard crack stage heat or it's not going to harden.

How do you make peanut brittle hard again? ›

- Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 250°F (120°C). - Break the stale peanut brittle into smaller pieces. - Place the brittle pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer. - Heat the brittle in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

How long do you microwave peanuts? ›

For a light roast, microwave on HIGH for 2-1/2 minutes; stir, microwave 2-1/2 minutes longer. For a darker roast, stir and microwave 1 minute longer, in 30 second increments. Season to taste. Peanuts will be crisp when cool.

Why do you soak raw peanuts? ›

Soaking enhances digestibility and nutritional benefits. When we soak peanuts, it helps in breaking down phytic acid and reduce enzyme inhibitors. Soaked peanuts can be consumed in a variety of ways. You can add them in your breakfast meal or even dinner.

Should I microwave peanuts? ›

Stir peanuts, microwave 2 minutes. Stir peanuts, microwave 30 seconds. Check to see if peanuts roasted (golden brown), if peanuts pale in color, continue in 30 second increments until roasted. Cool on baking sheet until completely cool, about 20 minutes - the peanuts will become crunchy as it cools.

Can you overcook peanut brittle? ›

Use a candy thermometer!

If you overcook the brittle, it could be bitter or burnt. If you undercook it, the brittle won't properly set and the end result will be sticky.

Can you use parchment paper when making peanut brittle? ›

You will want the cookie sheet to be non-stick. Use parchment paper, a silicone baking sheet or a greased cookie sheet. Spread the peanut brittle as thin as you can. Immediately add your sea salt.

How Long Will homemade peanut brittle keep? ›

Store peanut brittle in an airtight container (for best results use wax or parchment paper to divide pieces as they may stick together) in a dry place, but not in the refrigerator. Peanut Brittle will keep up to 2 months.

Why is my peanut brittle hard but sticky? ›

What's important to know is that the corn syrup controls the grain of the brittle so adding too little and you have a grainy textured brittle, while adding too much will result in a stringy and sticky brittle.

Why is my peanut brittle so thick? ›

Not spreading the mixture thinly enough: If the peanut brittle is too thick (usually because you used too small of a pan), it may not cool and harden properly. Be sure to spread the mixture as thinly as possible in the pan. 4. Humidity: Humidity can affect the hardening process of the peanut brittle.

What makes brittle hard? ›

What Makes it Brittle? The sugar will be cooked to 300ºF (149ºC)—hard crack stage; which when set up would be hard like a lollipop. But peanut brittle is delicate and you can easily bite into it—how? The secret is in the baking soda.

How long does it take for brittle to harden? ›

Don't try to spread the candy once it's on the baking sheet as it starts hardening almost immediately and spreading it doesn't work well. Let the peanut brittle cool for 30 minutes, then break it into pieces. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months.

Is peanut brittle supposed to be hard? ›

Peanut Brittle is a smooth, flat candy (similar to toffee), with peanuts in it, that is cooked on the stovetop and poured onto a sheet pan to cool. Once it cools it's broken into small individual-size pieces of hard candy and lasts at room temperature for several weeks.

Why did my peanut butter fudge not get hard? ›

If you didn't reach the correct temperature during the cooking process, it might not set properly. Use a candy thermometer to ensure that you reach the recommended temperature. Overcooking or Undercooking:Solution: Cooking the fudge for too long or too short a time can affect its texture.

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