Homemade Peanut Brittle

Last month I saw a posting from blogger Modern Mrs. Cleaver for making peanut brittle and it seemed way easier than I expected it to be. So, I whipped up a batch. But...in heating the ingredients in the microwave, I found I needed to greatly reduce the cooking time. The original recipe called for 7 minutes of cooking. However, I must have one powerful microwave because after 6 minutes I stopped it to check on things and my sugar/corn syrup/peanut mix had gotten very dark and was bubbling like crazy. It is definitely prettier when it is lighter in color, but the taste was not affected. The kids still scarfed it down like there was no tomorrow. :)

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

pinch of salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Combine peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt in glass bowl.  Microwave on high about 5 - 6 minutes (depending on your microwave. Watch it closely.)

Add in butter and vanilla and return to microwave for about one more minute.  Stir in baking soda and quickly transfer to a greased baking sheet and spread.  Let sit for about 15 minutes.  And be sure to immediately throw your bowl and spoon in very hot water...the stuff gets very sticky, very fast. Once it has hardened, break into pieces.