How do you all handle all that comes your way this season? Do you feel energized by the buzz of all that is happening around you, and do you feel caught up in the whirlwind? Excited or overwhelmed? Filled with anticipation, or kind of ready to get back to everyday life?
I sort of feel like I go back and forth. It’s easy to say YES to everything because there are so many fun things to do. Things like school parties, cookie exchanges, tree trimming, advent calendars, charity work, gingerbread making, shopping, wrapping…. But when I get overwhelmed, I think, “Does all of this really matter? Is is necessary? What would a SIMPLIFIED Christmas really look like?”
I can hardly even ask that question without a pang of guilt creeping in. I think it mostly stems from feeling like I need to keep up the traditions that my mom started when I was young, plus all the ones I’ve seen on Pinterest, plus all the ones my boys tell me their friends at school do. All good things, just too much!
When I think back on all the ways my childhood Christmases were so wonderful, I realize that my mom must have been exhausted. While I do remember my parents staying up late wrapping presents, but I do not remember my mom ever looking exhausted on Christmas morning. She always got it all done, and it always felt just perfect to me.
On the note of keeping things simple, this is a peanut brittle recipe you can make in the microwave. Start to finish in 10 minutes. And the recipe is from my mom, so it’s a little nostalgic for me! It’s a pretty straight forward, but one thing that makes it a little easier is to have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go by the microwave before you get started. Makes a great teacher or neighbor gift if those are on your holiday to-do list.
So I’m trying to learn how to sift through all the “good things” and choose the ones that are the most precious to us. I’m trying to be really picky about what we choose to let into our Christmas season. This year we decided not to mail out Christmas cards. We don’t do the Elf on the Shelf. Not that those aren’t good things, they are just what we chose to leave out. We are trying to sit down as a family each night, light a candle, and read stories that point out the Real Reason for Christmas. I don’t want the all the fun but insignificant things to crowd out the Significant. I want Christmas to be more than magical for my kids. I want it to be Meaningful!
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How To Make Peanut Brittle in the Microwave
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 24 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Description
My mom’s peanut brittle recipe – you can make it in the microwave in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Pour sugar and corn syrup into a microwavable 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Mix together and microwave on high for 3 minutes.
- Stir in peanuts and salt, and microwave for 3 more minutes.
- Add butter and vanilla, and stir well. Return to the microwave for 2 more minutes.
- Carefully remove the pan from the microwave, and add baking soda, stirring quickly.
- Pour out onto a Silpat lined or greased baking sheet. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before breaking it into bite sized pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Piece
- Calories: 89
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 103mg
- Fat: 3.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.6g
- Cholesterol: 0.4mg
Keywords: microwave peanut brittle, homemade peanut brittle, peanut brittle, candy, Christmas
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Peanut brittle in the microwave?! This is definitely something I need to try.. great idea!
kim jackson says
how do you clean the bowl..omg its stuck
Julie says
Super easy… fill it will hot water and let it sit. It should dissolve the sugar.
Jean says
Can’t wait to try making it. We were in Fla. And a couple that have been so gracious to us, asked us to bring some back. We forgot because I was sick. I can’t wait to try it. They will be so impressed. I also can’t wait to make some for family occasions. Thank you so much! Jean M.
Kathleen Sutherland says
Soak in soapy water for a few minutes.
★★★★★
Brenda DeVall says
It’s even better using pecans and I always spray the bowl with cooking spray before using it
Cynthia says
I also lightly spray my spatula to avoid sticking, and it works!
Barbara Grant says
I guarantee you will love it. I’ve been making it for years in the microwave and everyone on my Christmas list love it.
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Brilliant. I love that this recipe is so quick and easy, because with the hustle and bustle of Christmas I need all the quick and easy recipes I can get! Pinned!
Retta Martin says
Is this for all microwaves such as 800 or 1100 volts or watts?
Julie says
Retta, I’m glad you asked. This recipe was made with a 1000 watt microwave. The time will vary a bit depending on the microwave.
Cynthia says
Just watch it you can see the color you don’t want it too dark will taste burnt then.
Cynthia says
I have made these for years! Always a big hit and great gift at Christmas time, even made them for my husbands employees. It is so easy to do and fast, just make sure you put the bowl and utensils in hot water to make for easy cleaning.
Shirley says
Make sure your dish can withstand the heat and high temperature of the syrup. My bowl broke right at the syrup line when I went to lift it out of the microwave. Fortunately it broke in the microwave so the mess wasn’t too bad.
Julie says
Shirley, I’m sorry that happened. Yes, a heat proof dish is very important. I usually use my Pyrex.
Carol Frank says
Followed directions to a tee but did not harden, still soft.
Julie says
Sorry to hear that Carol. I’m wondering if it has to do with the difference in the power of our microwaves?
Kim says
Hi Julie, do you think if they used a candy thermometer to check the temp to nuke longer it might would set up? Love your recipe
Christine says
If you wanted to make a flavored peanut brittle, like cinnamon, what would you use? A 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon added to the syrup mixture?
Julie says
I’ve never tried adding cinnamon before but that sounds right to me.
Cyril Browne says
I follow the recipe and it came out ok but dryed Hard to Leave the pan can’t get it spredt out in the pan but it hərdən nicely
Barbara Grant says
Be sure you butter the pan you pour it onto or you will have a hard time breaking it loose.
Leesha says
Can we use cashews? If so raw or salted??
Julie says
I haven’t tried with cashews before, but I would use raw cashews. Good luck!
Kim says
I use mixed nuts in my recipe and just leave out the salt. I used canned nuts before. I like it better with mixed nuts, but that’s straying away from the original old fashioned recipe. But I don’t do mine in the microwave either, haven’t tried it yet.
Donna says
When you say raw peanuts can I use canned peanuts if not where do I purchase them! Looking forward to making this as my Grandmother always made it for us without a microwave.
Julie says
Hi Donna, not sure about canned peanuts, but I usually find raw peanuts as a seasonal item in my regular grocery store (even Walmart). I have found them in the produce section. If you ask, they will probably be able to point you right to them. Hope you can find them, and that you enjoy this recipe!
Kim says
I use canned nuts (as long as they’re not heath flavored or something ) I just omit the salt in the recipe.
Margaret says
I would like to know the english equivilant to corn starch please
Efua says
Hi, so I tried the recipe but I used lemon extract by accident instead of vanilla. I don’t have a question- it’s more of something funny
Efua says
It doesm’t taste bad
Linda Whitehurst says
If you make a double batch of brittle dont you have to cook double time in microwave? I think you do because mine is gritty and soft. I followed recipe to exact measurements.
Christal Wright says
I tripled this recipe and followed everything to the letter but the brittle never -brittled- it never hardened and is a chewy, sticky waste. I realized before I started that no timing adjustments were made to accommodate a larger volume. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Susan says
If I were doubling or tripling, I would use a candy thermometer. I haven’t used this recipe and can’t find my old one, but mine used to call for dry roasted peanuts…would they work in this?
Julie says
Hi! I have not tested with dry roasted, but I can’t see any reason they wouldn’t work.
Ginger Caffee says
Got this wonderful recipe from a fellow carpooler in the 80’s. Been making it ever since. Yes, definitely agree that the hardness depends on the power of your microwave. Mine is a pretty strong dude, so I don’t cook as long. Took a few years to figure that out! Makes a great Christmas for those die-hard brittle folks.
Julie Kidwell says
Thank you for posting this. I made it DOZENS of times over the past Christmas season. Everyone LOVED it and thought it was store bought. My UPS driver even asked for the recipe 🙂
Julie says
I’m so glad this recipe worked out for you, thanks for leaving me a comment!
Georgia Melton says
Just tried this recipe. Super easy but it did not turn out crunchy but sticky. Recipe was followed correctly. Suggestion?
Camila says
wow! it looks delicious, amazing, and simple recipe. Going to try it. Thanks for a nice recipe.
Summer says
Hey! So excited to make this. How long is it good for after making?