Saturday, May 18, 2013

Microwave Peanut Brittle


by Peg Cochran

Once a month a group of us get together for what we call “game night.”  If we have the right number we play euchre, otherwise we pick other game like Catch Phrase, Charades or Apples to Apples.  The hostess supplies the venue and we all chip in for take-out.  That way it isn’t too much work for anyone.  But we usually have some little snacks set out to enjoy while we play—trail mix, nuts, M&Ms or whatever.  I’m hosting tonight so I thought I would make some peanut brittle.  It’s so easy in the microwave!  I used to make it the old-fashioned way and even kept a pair of clean white gloves to stretch the brittle!  This is so much easier—you could have fun doing it with your kids.  AND it’s delicious and completely addictive!


Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup white sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 cup salted peanuts
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda

Butter a cookie sheet (or spray liberally with PAM.)  Combine sugar and corn syrup in a glass bowl and microwave on high for four minutes.  Stir in salted peanuts and microwave on high for 3 ½ minutes.  Stir in butter and vanilla and microwave for
1 ½ minutes more.

Stir in baking soda until light and foamy.  Pour onto cookie sheet and quickly spread as thin as possible.  Cool completely before breaking into bite-sized pieces. 

The basic ingredients


Sugar mixed with corn syrup

Sugar and corn syrup microwaved.  Careful, it's hot!

Peanut brittle spread out to cool.  You might want to double the recipe!
A sticky bowl to pick at!








Reg hoping for a treat!
Just received--copies of Steamed to Death!  On your shelves June 4!

10 comments:

  1. Never tried euchre. And someone at Malice said she knew how to play mah jhong (is that even spelled right?). My mother played with three bridge groups all of which rotated homes week to week. They started competing with each other for the most interesting snack foods. Bet they would have loved this!

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  2. Euchre seems to be most popular in the Midwest. It's fun and easy so you can socialize while playing. We don't have the correct number to play tonight. I'd love to play charades, but a lot of people don't like that game. Do you?

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  3. My then 8 year old nephew taught me to make peanut brittle this way t30 years ago and I've made it often ever since. Because it only takes 20 minutes, it's my favorite hostess gift for a last minute invitation.

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  4. Peg, how easy is this! Have fun at game night!

    Hugs, Daryl

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  5. Great idea giving it as a hostess gift! You can keep some pretty tins or boxes on hand and fill as needed!

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  6. Peg, I was just thinking that it would make a nice gift, especially if you're in a pinch. I'm not familiar with euchre, either, but I love charades. There's also a word game where you have to make up fake definitions that's a lot of fun.

    And may I just say how absolutely adorable Reg is!

    ~Krista

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  7. Reg says thank you, Krista! I'm not sure how much peanut brittle will be left for tonight--my husband has been sampling it all morning!

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  8. Delicious and addictive, mmm. I think this would work for a lot of occasions, Peg. I'll give you full credit when I serve it!

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  9. A perfect recipe for Christmas gifts! I must remember this one!. When I was in college (oh so long ago) I learned to play Euchre. I loved it! I'd go to these parties and a group of us would always be in the kitchen, playing Euchre. Sadly, I haven't played it since. At work I sometimes play cards with the patients-the game there is Spades. I also learned a new one for 2 people-Garbage.

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