Small Batch Microwave Peanut Brittle
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| Crispy, thin, bubbly peanut brittle in 20 minutes! |
My favorite game when I was small was Candy Land. More than the gameplay, I was mostly enamored by the idea of the Peanut Brittle Swamp, and I always imagined what it would be like to be bogged down in a swamp of my favorite Christmas candy.
That daydream sticks with me even forty years later, but I've never made my own peanut brittle. I thought it was too complicated and required kitchen stuff I don't have. I was wrong, however, and it doesn't! After perusing Pinterest for a few hours last week, I came across a couple of pins that were all a variation on a theme: microwave peanut brittle. After a couple of failed batches (too much baking soda will make you burp like you've shotgunned a Pepsi) and minor adjustments (too much time in the microwave will burn the batch), I was able to make a small batch of crispy, thin, bubbly peanut brittle in about 20 minutes, start to finish.
Ingredients for Small Batch Microwave Peanut Brittle
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
cooking spray
It's a good idea to make your peanut brittle in a glass measuring cup/bowl with a handle (mine is a 4 cup size), and to use a silicone spoon or spatula and a silicone mat to line your cookie sheet. I picked up my silicone mat at Kroger for just under $8.00, and so far it's worth it! Also note that my microwave is 1000 watts (there's a sticker inside the door), so if yours is less powerful, your brittle may need more cook time.
Directions for Small Batch Microwave Peanut Brittle
1. Place the silicone mat inside a cookie sheet and spray it with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Mix the 1/2 C granulated sugar and 1/4 C corn syrup in your glass bowl or measuring bowl. Place in microwave and heat for 3 minutes.
3. Remove the hot sugar syrup from the microwave promptly and stir in the 1/2 C roasted peanuts. Place in microwave and heat for 2 minutes.
4. Remove the hot sugar syrup from the microwave promptly and stir in the 1/2 T of butter and the 1/2 t of vanilla. Place in microwave and heat for 1 minute.
5. Remove the hot sugar syrup from the microwave promptly and add the 1 t baking soda. Stir it well. It will grow. Stir a little more. Place in microwave and heat for 30 seconds.
6. Remove from microwave promptly, and pour it onto the silicone mat. Leave until brittle, or place in the freezer until brittle.
Cleaning up After Making Peanut Brittle
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| Silicone utensils and a silicone mat make cleanup easy |
Peanut brittle makes a sticky mess, but it can be cleaned up easily by freezing your utensils and snapping off the sugar or by using really hot water and dish soap. I used hot water and dish soap to get it off my hot pads, apron, slippers, and rug, too. I may have been trying to recreate the Peanut Brittle Swamp - subconsciously, of course!
Because this is fairly simple and inexpensive, if you (like me) need to make adjustments to cooking times or ingredients to make your perfect brittle, feel free to comment and share your experiences. Merry Christmas!
Want to read more for the holidays? Try
Crochet Christmas Tree Ornaments
It's Time to Count My Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
Copyright Amy Lynn Hess. Please contact the author for permission to republish.
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