Do you have that neighbor, co-worker, or guy in your life that you just don't know what to give a small holiday gift to. Are you strapped for cash and short on time, yet want to give a yummy treat to someone? This is the same old fashioned peanut brittle recipe which required constant stirring in a black iron skillet that I learned back in the mid 1980's. Only it's updated to a microwave version, and you only have to stir it 4 times, and it takes less than 10 minutes to cook, (not the usual couple of hours on the stove top). It only takes 6 ingredients, and you probably have most, (if not all of them), in your pantry already. For years I gave this as a Christmas gift to my uncle, then my cousins started asking for boxes of it as well. I gave the recipe out to so many people over the years, and everyone has remarked about how easy and delicious the brittle is. And the best part is you can change out the type of nuts you use to make different kinds of brittle, (see my notes at the end). This recipe will make 1 pound of brittle.
You will need:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1 teas butter
1 teas vanilla extract
1 teas baking soda
cooking spray (for baking sheet)
medium sized heavy microwave safe bowl
heavy duty oven mitts
In a medium sized heavy microwave safe bowl, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup white corn syrup. Stir together, (this helps to make sure everything microwaves evenly).
Note: I use cooking spray to coat my measuring cup before I measure my corn syrup, then the corn syrup pours out better and doesn't stick to the cup, and clean up is easier.
Microwave on high for 4 minutes.
Remove from microwave, add 1 cup of roasted, salted peanuts.
Stir well.
Microwave on high 4 minutes.
While the brittle is microwaving, spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
After 4 minutes, remove the brittle mixture from the microwave. It will be hot and bubbling. Be sure to use your oven mitts, so you don't burn your hands. Notice the brittle mixture and the peanuts are browned.
Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Note: do not use imitation vanilla, you want the real stuff, it make the taste go a long way.
Add 1 teaspoon of butter
Blend everything well.
Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Remove from microwave, (remember to use your oven mitts). This brittle will be extremely HOT!
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Gently stir in. Notice how the brittle gets light in color and starts to get foamy. This is what it is supposed to do.
Pour the mixture onto the sprayed baking sheet.
Use your spoon to spread the mixture out, so that it is even consistency (not to thick in some places). Set aside and let it cool for about 1 hour.
After 1 hour, break the brittle apart into small pieces. And now it is ready to package for gift giving, and eating.
Here are some of the ways I like to give my brittle:
In pretty jars with a ribbon, in a decorative box, in a holiday tin, etc.
This jar of brittle already has someone special tagged. They will be so surprised to get homemade peanut brittle.
NOTE: if you want to change the type of brittle you make:
Almond Brittle:
substitute 1 cup of dry roasted almonds for peanuts,
substitute 1 teaspoon of almond extract for vanilla
Also try: omit the butter and add 1 cup of shredded coconut with 1 additional teaspoon of almond extract
Pecan Brittle:
substitute 1 cup of pecan halves for peanuts
everything else is the same
Cashew Brittle:
substitute 1 cup of dry roasted cashews for peanuts
everything else is the same
How many ways did you make the brittle?
I have more homemade holiday gifts to share. ENJOY !
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