A Christmas Candy Recipe for Microwave Peanut Brittle

Christmas candy is a tradition that has lasted for hundreds of years. Children, and adults, look forward to Christmas as a time to eat old favorites and discover new candies. While my family enjoys many of the traditional candies, we really love peanut brittle. The flavors and the crunch comined with the earthy peanut taste are just divine. However, I have always been scared of working with hot sugar. It can be very dangerous and is also very difficult.

My mother started making this version of peanut brittle many years ago for Christmas. We eat tons, give away a lot and still have plenty left for Christmas day! The simplicity and ease of this recipe is wonderful. But, the best part is how fast it is! From start to finish, you can make a batch of this peanut brittle for Christmas in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup salted peanuts

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

Spread a thin layer of butter all over a cookie sheet. Grease it well as this will keep the brittle from sticking to the sheet. Warm the pan slightly in order to allow you to spread the brittle thinner.

Combine the sugar and corn syrup in a large glass bowl and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir in the peanuts and microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes more, then stir in butter and vanilla and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Remember that microwave cooking times may vary. If the mixture begins to darken too much, you may need to cut back on your times.

Stir in the baking soda until the mixture is light and foamy. Pour the mixture onto the buttered cookie sheet and spread it thin. Cool completely. Break the sheet of brittle into pieces by slightly twisting the cookie sheet like you are breaking an ice tray loose. The sheet will pop loose and break. Use the back of a heavy spoon to break the candy into smaller pieces as needed.

Add the peanut brittle to cookie plates as gifts or at parties. The taste of this candy is very old fashioned and Christmas like! To store, seal the candy in an air tight container or zipper bag. You can store the brittle in the refrigerator for a long time as long as it is sealed well.