Microwave Peanut Brittle (Easy!)

I had never made peanut brittle before but a friend encouraged me to try the microwave recipe.  It turned out perfect and was so easy & inexpensive to make. I bought the raw shelled peanuts in the bulk section at the grocery store.  If you love peanut brittle, I hope you'll try this easy recipe.

You'll need:
1 cup raw shelled peanuts, skins on
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda

• Stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt in a 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe container. Cook 8 minutes on high in microwave oven, stirring well after 4 minutes.  
• Stir in butter and vanilla. 
• Microwave 2 minutes longer on high.  Add baking soda and quickly stir until light and foamy. Immediately pour onto lightly grased baking sheet.  Spread to 1/4 inch thickness.  When cool, break into pieces. Store in airtight container.  Yields about 1 pound.
• NOTES: you can add cayenne pepper or jalapeno pepper to this to make it spicy. I advise also adding a few drops of food coloring to distinguish the spicy candy. Not everyone loves sweet, hot brittle!