This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
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.
- 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
-
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.
*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.
Timmy Jones says
I made a double batch but I didn't consider cooking time so I don't think I cooked it long enough can you reheat it and cook longer or will that work
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Timmy, candy recipes are best to make in single batches to ensure success so I'm not sure if that will work. Has it hardened?
Timmy Jones says
It did harden but I realized what I did wrong was I only put 1 tsp of baking soda in it so I put it in and reheated it for 6 minutes added another tsp in it and it now looks like brittle I will let you know the outcome thanks
Chris Scheuer says
Glad you figured it out!
Tracy Cleghorn says
Perfect recipe! I followed the recipe exactly as written, I have a 1000 watt microwave, and it turned out perfect! I made two batches because I know when my husband gets home from work he’s going to eat one of them. lol
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe as this will be my go to.
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Tracy! Thank you for letting us know!
Dona Acker says
My goodness this is so EASY and it turned out AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR SHARING
Chris Scheuer says
Awesome! Thanks, Donna!
Matt Marsh says
OMG the best and easiest recipe I've found everyone loves it and I've tried different nuts and I've even tried it with pinenuts because someone I know can't eat nuts and it turned out great thank you again for this wonderful recipe
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it, Matt!
Elizabeth Meyer says
Love this recipe! The first time I made it I didn't cook it long enough - my husband said, "through it out". I did, and I tried it again the next day adjusting the cooking time for my microwave. I took this batch to a family function, not mentioning it to my husband. Everyone loved it and my husband said, “You need this recipe.” I’ve made two batches this morning for him to take on a hunting trip.
Great recipe and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing! I pray you and your family have a blessed 2021!
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! I love it! Thabnks so much for sharing your results, Elizabeth! Happy New Year to you!
Cathy says
I made this today - it was the first time I have made brittle of any kind. It was perfection! I had all the ingredients ready to add in between microwave sessions. It made it soooo easy. Thank you. I feel like a pro now.
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! So happy you had good success and enjoyed this recipe, Cathy! Thanks so much for sharing your review 💕
Chris Scheuer says
That's awesome, Cathy! Thanks so much for sharing your results!
Ashley says
My microwave is 1200 watts and the brittle burned when I cooked it for the time shown in the recipe. How should I take into account the different wattage?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Ashley, I would check it after a minute once the pecans are added and then every 15-30 seconds after that to determine the correct time for your microwave.
Carol Schibi says
I made this today and it is a bit dark, but taste great. My microwave is 1,650 watts so I may take a minute off the first and 30 seconds off the second part.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for sharing your results, Carol! Yes, microwaves do vary and 1650 watts is pretty powerful.
Jennifer says
This is easy and Delicious Thanks for Sharing your Recipe
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Jennifer! So happy you enjoyed it!
Allison says
What size sheet pan do I pour the brittle mixutre onto?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Allison, I use a half size sheet pan which is 13x18 inches.
Parker says
This is the first time I've ever made brittle or any candy, for that matter. Your directions were clear and concise and that's why I felt confident to use your recipe over the others. Plus, using the microwave sounded so much easier. This turned out perfectly! Thank you so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! Thanks so much for sharing your results, Parker. You've made me hungry for pecan brittle now!
Melissa says
I tried this today, can't get it harden. It's chewy. Help!!!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Melissa, sorry I'm just getting to this now. I'm not sure what could have gone wrong without having been right there in the kitchen with you.
Margaret says
I made both pecan and almond brittle with this recipe, and both were great! I used a silicone mat, and found that it didn't need to be greased at all. I also added a little salt along with the baking soda. I've made 3 batches already, and all have disappeared instantly. My underpowered (1000 watt) microwave requires cooking times of 5 minutes, 4 minutes, and 2 minutes. My first batch looked pretty anemic, but it still hardened, and still tasted delicious. If you're making for a party or gift, plan on a practice batch.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Margaret, for sharing your results!
Joanne Gauthier says
This was my first try at making peanut brittle and boy am I glad that I picked your recipe to try. It turned out beautifully and yummy! I may be making some more before Christmas as I have a feeling it will be all gone. Your recipes never disappoint.
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! Thanks so much for sharing your results, Joanne! I have to hide this stuff from myself 🙂
Julie Still says
WOW, this is a WINNER! We will be making this over and over again...may try dipping in melted chocolate at some point. Delicious!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Julie! Chocolate sounds wonderful!
Wendy Terry says
Love LOVE this recipe!! I made my first batch Saturday and it was gone before we went to bed; me and hubby at the whole thing. I made 2 batches Sunday and by Tuesday they are gone. I will be investing in a glass bowl with a handle.
Thank you for sharing..
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for sharing your results, Terry. You got me in the mood to make pecan brittle now! Yes, the pyrex bowls with the handle are wonderful!
Cay Stamps says
Love this recipe! It makes perfect brittle with no need to “pre-toast” the pecans as they will cook and release their oils in the brittle! I found for me, that warming the pan, then spraying it with the cooking spray works best (prevents the spray from turning brown while the pan warms). I have some beautiful macadamia nuts from Hawaii, I’m going to try those next. Thanks for this new family classic! I used a 1000 watt oven and a glass 2 quart measuring bowl.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Cay! Macadamia nuts sound wonderful!
Sandy says
One of the best recipes I've tried for flavor (and I've tried a lot of microwave nut brittle recipes). You think microwave brittle is going to be easy, but there's always adjusting to do, and it's one of those things that needs experimentation. Anyway, I do love this recipe, I have no trouble with it hardening, but I need to add at least another minute to get a good golden color, it looks pretty anemic otherwise. 1000 watt. Thanks for posting the recipe!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Sandy, sounds like you're a pro!
Joan L Worden says
I made this today exactly like the recipe and it turned out beautifully! Next time I will add a pinch of salt just to balance out the flavors. Thank you so much, easy!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Joan, for sharing your results! Yes, a little flaky sea salt is delicious in this brittle!
cassandra says
Ran across this easy recipe and it turned out great love it thanks for sharing
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Cassandra!
laura says
I came across your recipe, and having made peanut brittle for years decided to try.Thanks for the descriptive wording about the coloring of the brittle. I have made this twice with much success. My microwave is also 1000 watts, but I needed to add 30 seconds to the end to get the color. Both times was a success, taste was delicious and is now a family favorite
Laura
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for sharing your results Laura, so happy you enjoyed it!
Paula says
This was my first attempt with this microwave recipe and I wanted double the amount of finished brittle. Sorry to say ... I got pecan Taffy - not pecan brittle that I had my taste set for. The final step was me hand rolling small amounts and setting on parchment paper in my container. Taste is good but not the brittle I had planned on.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Paula, sorry you didn't have good results with this recipe. Did you double the recipe? With candy, it's better to make two batches. Doubling often doesn't work with candy.
Janice Hankins says
Amazing !! First time ever made it! Turned ot perfect!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! That's aweosme, Janice! Thanks for sharing your results.
Diane Clayton says
Just finished making this recipe. Smells great, looks delish too! Toasted my peacans in butter. Added a tad of salt to them too,
Chris Scheuer says
Yum, sounds wonderful
Nancy Long says
Interested in why the prep and cook time says 9 hours 30 min?
Chris Scheuer says
Ha! When I switched recipe plugins this fall, it messed up all my times. I'm going through slowly and fixing them but, with almost 1000 recipes, it's taking a while! 🙂
Rebecca says
I made a batch last night and let cool until this morning it didn't harden, what did I do wrong and how do I fix it?
Chris Scheuer says
Hmmm... I've never had that problem, Rebecca. Mine always hardens almost before I can get it into the pan. Not sure what to tell you.
Debbie Henry says
I just made Pecan Brittle from a recipe I had. . If I had cooked it as long as this recipe said it would have been completely burned up. What wattage is your microwave? I'm using a 1000 watt.
Chris Scheuer says
Hello Debbie, hope your pecan brittle turned out wonderful. As noted in the notes below the recipe, my microwave is 1000 watts.
I found 7 1/2 minutes was the perfect amount of cooking time, after quite a bit of testing. I'm curious, how long do you cook your pecan brittle?