15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
12
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Course
Dessert
15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle
Description
This microwave brittle begins by combining sugar and light corn syrup in a sprayed microwave-safe bowl, then cooking in bursts until the mixture reaches a golden amber color. Pecans are added and cooked further, then butter, vanilla extract, and baking soda are stirred in. The baking soda causes bubbling that aerates the candy, yielding a lighter texture.
The mixture is quickly poured onto a preheated foil-lined, cooking sprayed sheet pan to spread thinly, then cooled until hard. The brittle hardens into a crisp candy studded throughout with pecan halves. The microwave technique simplifies caramelization without constant stovetop attention.
This brittle offers a crunchy, sweet treat combining toasted pecan flavor and crisp caramelized sugar. It can be broken into pieces and served as a snack or confection to share.
Notes clarify that microwave times vary by wattage, advising careful color monitoring during the initial attempts to achieve a medium amber color indicating readiness. This method is tailored for a 1000 watt microwave.
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 ¼ cups pecan halves
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a sheet pan with a large enough piece of foil to tuck edges under rim of pan. Spray foil-lined pan generously with cooking spray. Also spray a 2 quart microwave-safe bowl and a heat resistant spatula with cooking spray. Place pan in the oven. (Don't worry if your oven never gets to 350˚F. You just want the pan to be nice and warm when you add the candy mixture later. The warm pan will help the brittle to spread better and get nice and thin.) Gather ingredients and a teaspoon measuring spoon.
- Combine sugar and corn syrup in the prepared, 2 quart glass bowl and stir to combine. Mixture will be very thick and sugary. Place in microwave and cook on high power for 3 ½ minutes. (It will be clear but still pretty light colored.)*
- Carefully remove from microwave (it will be hot!) and add pecans. Stir well and return mixture to microwave. Cook on high power for 3 minutes. (At this point mixture will be a fairly light, golden brown color.)*
- Remove from microwave and add butter and vanilla. Stir well and microwave one last time for 1 minute. During this last stint in the microwave, wash your spatula or grab a new one and spray it well with cooking spray. (Mixture should now be a medium amber color.)* Remove pan from the oven and set it on the stovetop.
- Carefully remove bowl from microwave and sprinkle baking soda over the top. Stir until baking soda is just incorporated. Mixture will foam up and go from an amber color to caramel.
- Immediately, pour out mixture onto heated, foil-lined pan, trying to spread out, as you pour, over as much of the pan as possible. With your heat resistant spatula, spread mixture as thin as possible over the surface of the pan. Don’t worry if it tears or gets a hole here or there. It will be broken up later anyways.
- Cool completely, lift foil out of pan and you'll be able to break Pecan Brittle into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Microwave times depend on wattage; watch the candy closely the first time to reach a medium amber color without burning.
- Use cooking spray on all surfaces to prevent sticking during cooking and spreading.
- Preheat the foil-lined pan to help the brittle spread thin and achieve the right texture.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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