Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Wendie · 4 Comments

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This Microwave Peanut Brittle is an easy candy recipe for the holidays. Crunchy, buttery and comes together in 15 minutes. Nobody will ever know you made it in the microwave! We may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. Read our disclosure policyhere.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (1)

Peanut Brittle is a classic homemade candy and one of the best holiday treats. Nothing like a buttery, crunchy piece of peanut brittle. Such a classic treat that my family enjoys, and perfect for holiday gift-giving!

Making peanut brittle on the stove top can be really intimidating with the fact you need a candy thermometer. Making it in the microwave is a fuss-free process and comes out perfect every time. You get all the crunch without the stress!

Let's take a quick look at the simple ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Light corn syrup
• Vanilla
• Baking soda
• Butter
• Peanuts

Scroll down to the bottom for the full printable recipe!

Supplies needed

Mixing bowl
Spatula
Measuring cup
Baking/ cookie sheet
Baking mat
Parchment paper

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (2)What are the best peanuts to use?

I use regular roasted peanuts but Spanish peanuts or raw blanched peanuts can also be used. Although peanuts are the classic nut used, you may substitute other nuts if you prefer.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (3)How to make Microwave Peanut Brittle

1. Spray a baking sheetwith nonstick spray or line with a baking mat.
2. In a large glass bowl (microwavable safe) combine sugar and light corn syrup. Stir until the combined mixture will be difficult to stir.
3. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. then stir. return to microwave and cook another 3-4 minutes or until mixture turns a light golden color.
4. Remove bowl from microwave and quickly add vanilla, baking soda, butter, and peanuts. Quickly stir the brittle mixture until combined.
5. Spread mixture onto a prepared baking sheet, using a spatula to smooth peanut brittle out into a layer.
6. Let peanut brittle set for 30 minutes. Once firm use your hands to break into small pieces.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (4)Recipe Tips

1. You'll need an 1100 watt microwave, if your microwave oven has a lower wattage you may need to cook the mixture for a bit longer.
2. Have everything ready and measured, you need to work fast.

3. I don't recommend doubling the recipe, it's better just to make one batch at a time.

4. Be careful and use oven mitts the bowl and candy mixture will be hot!

Why did my peanut brittle not harden?

You didn't let your candy mixture get hot enough. You're looking for the mixture to turn a golden brown color.

How to store peanut brittle

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Perfect make-ahead treats for gift giving.

How do I clean the bowls?

It may seem like it is impossible to remove the hard candy that sticks to the bowl. Just soak everything in some hot soapy water and it comes right off. Just don't put cold water in a hot bowl.

Looking for more candy recipes?

Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Peppermint Chocolate Truffles
Peanut Butter Balls

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (5)MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME ONFACEBOOK,INSTAGRAM,PINTERESTFOR ALL MY LATEST RECIPES.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (6)

Microwave Peanut Brittle

Wendie

Microwave Peanut Brittle is an easy candy recipe for the holidays. Crunchy, buttery and comes together in 15 minutes. Nobody will ever know you made it in the microwave!

4.34 from 12 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

  • In a large microwavable safe bowl add the sugar and corn syrup. Stir until combined, mixture will be sticky and hard to stir.

  • Microwave for 4 minutes on high. Then stir. Microwave for another 3-4 minutes or until mixture starts to turn a light golden color.

  • Remove bowl from microwave and quickly add peanuts, butter, vanilla and baking soda and mix until combined.

  • Working quickly spread out on prepared baking sheet.

  • Let the peanut brittle harden for 30 minutes. Once cooled and hard use your hands to break the brittle into chunks.

Notes

1. You'll need an 1100 watt microwave, if your microwave oven has a lower wattage you may need to cook the mixture for a bit longer.

2. Have everything ready and measured, you need to work fast.

3. I don't recommend doubling the recipe, it's better just to make one batch at a time.

4. Be careful and use oven mitts the bowl and candy mixture will be hot!

5. To clean the bowls just soak in hot soapy water.

Nutrition

Serving: 2piecesCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 206mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34g

Keyword candy, peanut brittle

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (7)Wendie

    Sorry it didn't turn out for you. Every microwave is going to run slightly differently if the mixture is starting to turn slightly brown then you shouldn't microwave it any longer as stated.

  2. Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (8)J

    I followed the directions exactly as written and should have stopped after the first microwaving. The second microwaving resulted in a burning of the syrup and sugar mixture and I wasted the whole batch!

  3. Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (9)Wendie

    Just soak in hot soapy water for a few minutes comes right off.

  4. Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (10)Rob

    I'm going to try this recipe today, but my concern is cleaning the glass mixing bowl and utensils I'll be using. Won't the mixture harden on them, too? How do you clean them properly?

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Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit (2024)

FAQs

What happens when you add baking soda to 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.

Why is my peanut brittle not crunchy? ›

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.

Does peanut brittle contain butter? ›

If you opt for salted butter, you can skip this ingredient. Peanuts: Of course, you'll need peanuts for this classic treat! Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness to decadent peanut brittle. Baking soda: A teaspoon of baking soda creates air bubbles and makes a pleasantly "brittle" texture.

Why did my peanut brittle turned out chewy? ›

Why did my peanut brittle turn out chewy? The likely cause is that the sugar mixture didn't reach the proper hard crack stage temperature. Ensuring it reaches 300˚F is key to getting that classic brittle texture.

What does putting peanuts in co*ke do? ›

A more hands-on meal would mean a washing-up break, but simply pouring your peanuts into the co*ke bottle allowed for a protein boost that you could sip while working. Since then, the salty-sweet pairing of sugary co*ke and savory peanuts has spread across the South, from the Carolinas all the way to Texas.

Why did my peanut brittle turn white? ›

Peanut brittle turning white, often referred to as "sugaring," is typically the result of crystallization of the sugar in the candy. This crystallization can make the brittle appear white or cloudy rather than having a clear, glass-like consistency.

Why is peanut brittle bad for you? ›

Outside of that single ingredient, peanut brittle is painfully unhealthy. It contains: sugar, corn syrup, and butter, all of which are unhealthy for your body in different ways. But, peanut brittle becomes terrible for your teeth once all of those ingredients are combined into the final product.

Can you overcook peanut brittle? ›

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. A thermometer is an accessible and inexpensive way to monitor temperature and ensure properly cooked brittle. Make sure your baking soda is fresh and active.

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.

Is peanut brittle a southern thing? ›

The general origin story of peanut brittle is that it came from the South, and that a Southern woman in the second half of the 19th century came up with peanut brittle by accidentally putting baking soda into her taffy instead of cream of tartar.

What can I use instead of corn syrup? ›

The best corn syrup substitutes for baking are brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, honey, golden syrup, and black treacle. Whether you're avoiding using corn syrup, are allergic to corn, or don't have it on hand, there are a ton of substitutes for corn syrup to try instead.

How long is homemade peanut brittle good for? ›

How long will homemade peanut brittle last? This peanut brittle recipe will keep for up to 2 months if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. I recommend placing pieces of wax paper or parchment paper between the candy pieces to keep them from sticking together.

Can peanuts be microwaved? ›

Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes; stir, microwave 2 1/2 minutes longer. Peanuts will be crisp when cool. CAUTION: Cooking time necessary may vary with ovens; remember, peanuts continue to cook as they cool.

Why does my homemade peanut brittle stick to my teeth? ›

Frequently asked questions. Why does my homemade peanut brittle stick to my teeth? This is because you did not cook it long enough in the microwave. If the texture of the peanut brittle is sticky, and not crunchy, this means that you need to cook the mixture longer, until it reaches 300°F.

Should you refrigerate peanut brittle? ›

To store: Once it's completely cooled, store peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate as the moisture from the fridge will cause the brittle to soften. Store for 6-8 weeks. To Freeze: Peanut brittle can be frozen and stored up to 3 months.

Why is baking soda used in brittle? ›

Baking soda releases bubbles into our candy (you can see this on a more extreme level in my honeycomb recipe, which uses 5x the amount of baking soda!). This makes the brittle more delicate, crisp, and less chewy, which ultimately makes it more snappy and less likely to obnoxiously stick to your teeth.

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.

What does baking soda do in candy making? ›

The recipe, submitted by Mrs. Samuel Rife, is an old-fashioned brittle that calls for two heaping teaspoons of baking soda. Baking soda helps to aerate brittle — it literally makes the molten candy bubble in the pot — to create a brittle with an airy, almost honeycomblike texture that crunches easily when eaten.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in peanut butter cookies? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

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