Microwave Crackle Peanut Brittle
Sweet and crunchy peanut brittle with a rich caramel flavor, featuring salted peanuts and a crackly texture. Perfect for snack lovers and gift-giving occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart ovenproof glass mixing bowl or pitcher. Cook, uncovered, in microwave oven 6 minutes at High or until sugar is dissolved.
- Stir peanuts into the syrup.
- Cook uncovered in microwave oven for 8 minutes on High, stirring every 2 minutes.
- Stir margarine into the mixture.
- Cook uncovered in microwave oven to hard-crack stage (8 to 10 minutes at High), stirring every 2 minutes.
- Add baking soda and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Pour onto two lightly buttered baking sheets, spreading as thinly as possible.
- As soon as the candy is cool enough to handle, wet hands with water and stretch as thin as desired.
- Turn candy over and cool completely.
- When firm and cool, break into medium-size pieces.
- Store in a tightly covered container.
Tips & Substitutions
For an even crunchier texture, consider using raw peanuts instead of salted ones, though you may need to adjust the salt in the recipe. If you don't have light corn syrup, you can substitute it with honey or agave syrup, but the flavor may vary slightly. Make sure to monitor the cooking process closely as microwaves can vary in strength, which can affect the hard-crack stage.
Serving Suggestions
Peanut brittle makes a delightful snack on its own, but it can also be served as a topping for ice cream or crumbled over yogurt for added crunch. It pairs beautifully with a glass of Fruit Iced Tea or as a sweet treat alongside a Whiskey Sour Slush. Consider gifting it during the holidays or special occasions for a homemade touch.
Storage & Reheating
Once your peanut brittle has completely cooled and hardened, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It can also be wrapped in wax paper or foil to keep it fresh. Avoid refrigerating, as this can cause the candy to become sticky. Properly stored, it should last for several weeks.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Microwave Crackle Peanut Brittle contains roughly 166 calories, with 1g protein, 37g carbohydrates, and 1g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different nuts instead of peanuts?
Yes, you can substitute peanuts with other nuts like almonds, cashews, or pecans. Keep in mind that different nuts may have varying roasting times, which could affect the final flavor and texture of your brittle. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure they are perfectly toasted.
What should I do if my peanut brittle is too sticky?
If your peanut brittle turns out sticky, it may not have reached the hard-crack stage during cooking. To salvage it, you can reheat the mixture in the microwave, stirring frequently, until it reaches the right temperature. Just be cautious not to overcook it, as this can make it too hard.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe can be easily adapted to be vegan. Simply replace the margarine with a plant-based butter or coconut oil, and ensure that the sugar used is vegan-friendly, as some sugars are processed with bone char. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).