I can remember making a tin of Peanut Brittle every year to send to my grandfather in Texas for Christmas when I was a kid. He always told me how much he loved it and every year I looked forward to making it for him.

Now that I’ve grown and I’m looking for a sugar high, peanut brittle is still a treat I enjoy during the holidays when I have ingredients that I don’t always stock. It’s quick, easy and delicious. I always make a pecan pie for Thanksgiving and never use the entire bottle of corn syrup. Although corn syrup would probably last twenty years, I feel compelled to use the bottle so it’s not sitting around for an entire year before I make pecan pie again. Peanut Brittle is a great use of the remaining corn syrup. It makes a great little dish to share with a bunch of friends. This year I made two batches and set it out at our pajama New Year party.

I make Peanut Brittle entirely in the microwave! If you have a 1100-watt microwave the peanut brittle will cook more quickly. I will write the time for the 1100-watt microwave first followed by the time for an 800-watt microwave. If you don’t know how many watts your microwave uses, open the door and look at the sticker on the inside of the door frame. It will be printed in fine print on the sticker. It’s important that it cooks for enough time or you will have Peanut Taffy instead of Peanut Brittle.

Also, it is important to move fast between the steps. The peanut brittle will set quickly. Have all your ingredients measured and in front of the microwave, ready to be mixed immediately.

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1 tbs butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda

In a 2 qt glass bowl combine sugar and corn syrup. Stir.

Once this heats up it will be hot, so a bowl with a handle is helpful. Regardless of whether or not you own a glass bowl with a handle, make sure you have oven mitts handy.

Cook on high for 3 minutes (4 minutes for 800-watt micro)

Stir in nuts

Cook high for 2:30 minutes (3:30 for 800-watt micro)

Stir in butter and vanilla

Cook on high for 1 minute (1:30 for 800-watt micro)

Add baking soda, stirring gently until light and foamy.

Pour mixture immediately onto a buttered cookie sheet spreading evenly and thinly – work as quickly as possible

Peanut Brittle will harden within a few minutes. To make sure it breaks apart easily, I allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before breaking apart. It really is best that it is cooled to room temperature before breaking it apart.

Enjoy!!

Clean up:

The bowl and spoon you use to mix the batter will look very intimidating to clean after it cools. Don’t let it worry you. Place the items in the sink and fill with water, everything will dissolve right off after it sits for a minute or two.