Lightly grease a 9x12 inch cookie sheet and set aside.
In a 1 1/2 quart glass casserole dish, stir together the peanuts, sugar, corn syrup and salt, mixing well. Microwave for 4 minutes on high.
Remove dish carefully from microwave using pot holders as the dish will be hot, then stir again real well. Return dish to microwave and cook for an additional 4 minutes on high.
Remove dish from microwave and stir in margarine and vanilla, mixing well. Return dish to microwave and cook for an additional 2 minutes on high.
Remove dish from microwave. (This next step needs to be done quickly so have your lightly greased cookie sheet nearby.)
Now add the baking soda and quickly stir real well till light and foamy.
Immediately pour onto the lightly greased cookie sheet and spread it out to a thin layer. It will usually cover most of the cookie sheet. (Sometimes it helps to have someone spreading it out while you scrape out the dish). the bottom of the cookie sheet will be hot so be careful of where you set it.
Let mixture cool at room temperature. Once cool enough then break into small pieces and store in airtight container.
A few words of caution and wisdom:
Be careful making this if you have young children running around as this mixture is extremely hot.
Do not leave the spoon in the glass dish after you empty mixture out onto cookie sheet. It will stick to your glass dish and you will have a hard time getting it loose. (Experience talking)
Let water run until it is running hot before putting it in your glass dish to avoid the dish cracking or breaking. Then add the spoon to soak in the dish.
By Connie Streeter from Towanda, PA
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Make a pan full of peanut brittle in a matter of a few minutes with ingredients you likely have in your cabinet. I am no good with a candy thermometer, but this one doesn't require much skill at all--and it is unbelievably scrumptious!
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