Microwave Pecan Brittle is a time-saving twist on a classic candy! This delicious, crunchy holiday treat is easy to make in 15 minutes, using a microwave!
Traditional peanut brittle gets an update and a time-saving twist in this simple recipe for Microwave Pecan Brittle! Yes… this buttery, crunchy candy is easy to make in 15 minutes, uses pecan halves instead of the customary Spanish or raw peanuts, and is made entirely IN THE MICROWAVE!
I grew up eating “traditionally made” peanut brittle every Christmas when my Mom would cook a large batch on our stovetop. The process was a bit complicated, and involved using a candy thermometer, cooking the “syrup” portion to exactly the right temperature, and actually took a while to make.
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Who Knew You Could Make Microwave Pecan Brittle In A MICROWAVE?
When I saw this MICROWAVE time-saving recipe online from Chris Scheuer of The Café Sucré Farine a couple of months ago, I KNEW I wanted to try it (if you’ve never visited her blog, I highly recommend it)!
We were starting a complete kitchen remodel the first week in November, and I knew I wanted to make some Christmas goodies ahead of time so we could have some goodies to enjoy over the holidays or for gift-giving, even though we wouldn’t have any major appliances (or a kitchen, for that matter) during Thanksgiving OR Christmas.
Well, as I write this post, it’s almost Christmas, and we are in the final days of our remodel. It looks like I will have a working kitchen the second week of January! It’s been nice to pull this pecan brittle out of our freezer (yes, I froze it back in October) and thoroughly enjoy it! I am happy to report that this microwave pecan brittle recipe is wonderful… easy to prepare, and quite delicious! Here’s how to make it!
How To Make Microwave Pecan Brittle
Cover a large cookie sheet with foil, making sure to leave an overhang of foil on all sides. Give the foil on the baking sheet a very generous spray of non-stick cooking spray.
Place the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven while you make the candy. This is done to make sure pan is really warm when you pour in the hot liquid mixture later on. A warm pan helps the pecan brittle to thin out and spread a bit easier.
Spray a 2 qt. microwave-safe baking dish AND a heat-resistant spatula with non-stick cooking spray. Measure the sugar and corn syrup into the baking dish. Stir until this mixture is fully combined and thick. Put the dish in the microwave.
Cook The Brittle In Steps
Cook mixture using HIGH power for 3½ minutes. As you can see from the photos, the mixture will be very hot, bubbly and light in color when done. Remove from microwave carefully – it is HOT!
Stir in the pecan halves, then place dish back into microwave. Cook mixture on HIGH power for an additional 3 minutes. Remove dish from microwave carefully (the color will be slighter darker).
Immediately add butter and the vanilla extract to the hot candy mixture. Stir the candy very well to combine all ingredients. Put the dish back in the microwave (last time). Cook on HIGH power for 1 minute.
Note: Since microwaves sometimes have different wattage levels, keep an eye on the color of the candy during the third microwaving. You may need to cook it an additional minute or so to achieve a medium brown color.
What To Do When Done Microwaving The Pecan Brittle
Remove the dish from microwave very carefully. It is HOT. Sprinkle the baking soda over the top of the candy mixture. Stir only until the baking soda has been mixed in. The candy will get foamy, rise up a bit in the dish, and turn from a slightly amber color to a more caramel color.
Pour The Microwave Pecan Brittle Onto Warm Foil-Lined Baking Pan
Immediately (and carefully- use those hot pads!) pour the hot liquid candy onto your warm foil-lined baking sheet, covering as much of the foil as you can. Use a sprayed, heat-resistant spatula to spread the candy out as much as possible on the sheet.
When you spread it out, you might have some holes or uneven areas appear in the candy… don’t worry about that, cause you will bust it up into pieces later! You really cannot mess this up, no matter how hard you may try!
Break Up The Brittle Once Totally Cooled
Once the brittle has cooled down completely, all you will need to do is lift the foil right off of the baking sheet using the overhanging pieces of foil, lift the candy right off the foil and break it up into small serving sized pieces! It’s EASY!
The microwave pecan brittle is ready to serve once it is broken up into pieces. Store the leftovers in an airtight sealed container. NOTE: I placed mine into a freezer storage bag and froze the candy for two months, due to our remodel. When I took it out of the freezer and let it thaw out, the candy tasted just as marvelous as the first day I made it! Yay!
I found this quick (and new to me) method for making microwave pecan brittle to be so easy, and the results taste fabulous! What a wonderful hostess gift this homemade pecan brittle would be, wrapped up in a cute decorated bag or container! Have a blessed Christmas and Hannukah, friends! Hope you will cherish and appreciate every minute of time spent with those you love!
Sure hope you will give this yummy Christmas treat a try. Your family and friends will LOVE it! Be sure to check out ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Have a great day.
You Might Also Enjoy These Other Holiday Treats
Candied Orange, Cinnamon & Clove Spiced Pecans
Chocolate Butterscotch Peanut Clusters
Cranberry Cashew Clusters
Microwave Rocky Road Fudge
Mom’s Refrigerator Fruitcake (it’s not THAT kind of fruitcake!)
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Recipe Source: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/15-minute-microwave-pecan-brittle/
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup (light)
- 1¼ cups pecan halves
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Cover a large cookie sheet with foil, making sure to leave an overhang on all sides. Give the foil a very generous spraying with non-stick spray. Place pan in a preheated 350 degree oven while you make the candy (this is done to make sure pan is really warm when you pour in the hot liquid candy mixture later on. Warm pan helps brittle to thin out and spread out a bit easier.)
- Spray a 2 qt. baking dish AND a heat-resistant spatula with non-stick cooking spray. Mix granulated sugar and corn syrup until fully combined and thick. Put dish in microwave. Cook mixture using HIGH power for 3½ minutes. The mixture will be very hot and light in color when done. Remove from microwave carefully - it is HOT!
- Stir in the pecan halves, then place dish back into microwave. Cook mixture on HIGH power for an additional 3 minutes. Remove dish from microwave carefully (the color will be a slighter darker).
- Immediately add butter and vanilla extract. Stir very well to combine all ingredients. Put the dish back in microwave (last time). Cook on HIGH power for 1 minute. NOTE: Since microwaves sometimes have different watt levels, keep an eye on the color of the candy during the third microwaving. You may need to cook it an additional minute or so to achieve a medium brown color.
- Remove dish from microwave. Sprinkle baking soda over the top of the candy mixture. Stir only until the baking soda has been mixed in. The candy will get foamy, rise up a bit in the dish, and turn from a slightly amber color to a caramel color.
- Immediately (and very carefully) pour the hot liquid onto your warm foil-lined baking sheet. Use your non-stick sprayed, heat-resistant spatula to spread the candy out as much as possible on the sheet. When you spread it out, you might see some holes or uneven areas... don't worry about that, cause you will bust it up later!
- Once the brittle has cooled down completely, all you need to do is lift the foil right out of the pan, then grab that candy, lifting it off the foil, and break it all up into small pieces!
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!
Can you use pecan pieces in the pecan microwave brittle?
Hi, Gloria! Haven’t made it that way before, but I sure don’t see why that wouldn’t work out perfectly, as well!
I used pecan pieces and it works great.My question is can you double the recipe? If so does the cooking time change?
Hello, Sky… Every time I make this I only make it as written. Have not even tried to double it, so I can’t really answer your question with any authority. Sorry!
I use this recipe for all my nut brittles and it turns out perfect every time!
Thank you for providing this fabulous, easy recipe. I have been paying a fortune for pecan brittle on line. It is SO much better than peanut brittle. And that baking soda trick will save me money at the dentist. It turns the treat of breaking a tooth from hard candy to a gentle crispy texture. Delicious! You are amazing.
What did I do wrong if the brittle didn’t set up? I’m sure I followed everything step by step.
Can I use dark Kari instead?
Hi, Janet… thanks for writing. I have only made this brittle using light Karo syrup. I suspect it would work, but the brittle would sure be a lot darker in color at the end, and the brittle would have a much more “strong” molasses type taste. I can’t vouch for using it, but if you do, and it turns out really well, please let me know. I would be very interested. Have a good day!