15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle

Warning - this 15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle is not only delicious, it's ridiculously addictive!

"I'm not going to do it". That's what I told myself with each of the five test batches I made of this Microwave Pecan Brittle. "I'm not going to nibble, nibble, nibble..."

Generally speaking, I have a decent amount of self control when it comes to sweets. I often have candy, cookies and/or cake around the house for weeks and never even think about indulging. With this shatteringly crisp, perfectly sweet, crunchy pecan-studded brittle? No self control, absolutely none.

The dangerous thing is that it's so ridiculously easy. You might not believe that making this beautiful, delicious candy is easy, but it's true. And when I say 15-minutes, I'm actually giving you a bit of extra time!

You could be famous!

Yup, if you can stir things up in a bowl and operate the microwave button, you're on your way to becoming a famous candy maker!

A famous candy maker? Yes, you will get requests for this again and again. "Could you make some of that wonderful Pecan Brittle?". "Is there any more of that fabulous brittle?" "Where did you hide the Pecan Brittle?" "Remember that Pecan Brittle you made last year..." And on and on it will go.

Of course, if you don't like being famous, no problem. Just spill the beans and tell them how easy and quick it is. Instead of calling it Pecan Brittle, call it 15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle.

Then they will be the ones getting the glory. Hmm... think we should  just keep our lips zipped?

P.S. You've probably thought of this already, but this brittle is perfect for gift giving. Just find some pretty tins or cellophane bags and tie them with a colorful ribbon. A delicious way to say "thanks", "I care" or "Happy Holidays" to neighbors, friends, hairdressers, mailmen, delivery people, teachers, etc.

For your Pinning pleasure!

Lots of people ask what kind of cookware, small appliances, cutlery, etc. I use in the kitchen. Here's what I used to make this recipe. 

5 from 12 votes

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15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle

This 15-Minute Microwave Pecan Brittle is crazy good, super easy and (don't say you weren't warned) also ridiculously addictive!

Author: Adapted by Chris Scheuer from Allrecipes

Course: Candy

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

Servings: 12

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

1. 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.
2. 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.)*
3. 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.)*
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Cool completely, lift foil out of pan and you'll be able to break Pecan Brittle into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes

*My microwave is 1000 watts and these times work perfectly. Every microwave is a bit different, even those with the same wattage. The first time you make this brittle, watch it carefully for color. You may need an extra ½-2 minutes. It should be a medium amber color when you pull it from the microwave the third time.