How do you make peanut brittle?

Answer 1

If you have a microwave and you'd like to whip up some peanut brittle in a hurry, this recipe will let you do it in a little less than 10 minutes (plus cooling time, of course).

Ingredients:

* 1.5 cups of raw, shelled Virginia peanuts (leave the skins on) * 1 cup of granulated sugar * 1/2 cup light corn syrup * 1 teaspoon of butter * 1 teaspoon of vanilla * 1 teaspoon baking soda * 1/8 teaspoon salt

Method:

* Mix the peanuts, sugar, corn syrup and salt together in a microwave-safe casserole dish until well mixed * Cook in a microwave on high for 4 minutes; open and stir the mix well; then cook on high for another 4 minutes * Open, stir in the butter and vanilla, then microwave on high for a further 2 minutes * Finally, remove from the microwave, open the dish, add the baking soda and stir quickly until the mix is light and foamy * Immediately pour the mixture onto a lightly-greased baking sheet, spreading it out thinly. * Allow the mix to cool - then break it into small pieces and store in an airtight container.

Tip: The trick to making thin, tender peanut brittle is to keep the baking sheet(s) you use warm. I recommend heating them in a conventional oven at around 200o F (about 95o C) before you spread the peanut brittle mix. This should allow you to spread the mix 1cm to 2cm thick without it setting up.