Ditch the Oven: Crockpot Candy & Microwave Brittle or Fudge

December 6, 2013

Thanksgiving is over, so now the holiday baking begins.  There are so many recipes out there and everyone has their favorite that they make year after year.  Here are three recipes that you just might add to your list when you see how easy they are to make. No oven required!

Crock Pot Candy

Ingredients

• 1 jar (16 ounces) dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
• 1 jar (16 ounces) dry roasted peanuts, salted
• 1 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 4 ounce bar german chocolate, broken into pieces
• 3 pounds (or 2 planks) white bark, broken into pieces

Directions

1. Put ingredients into a large quart crock pot in order listed.
2. Cover and cook 3 hours on low. DO NOT REMOVE LID.
3. Turn off and cool slightly.
4. Mix thoroughly and drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.
5. Let cool thoroughly.

Makes approximately 170 pieces. It’s so easy to do, you just need a little bicep strength to stir the ingredients together!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

Brittle is one recipe where you can switch up the nuts, add fruit like dried cherries or cranberries, or try adding a little hot oil for a kick.

Ingredients

• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup salted peanuts (or other nuts)
• 1/8 tsp salt (a little more if you are using unsalted nuts – you want the salty flavor in this)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. In a 1 ½ quart microwavable bowl stir together the corn syrup, sugar and salt.
2. Microwave at high power for 3 minutes.
3. Add peanuts and stir.
4. Microwave at high power for 3 more minutes.
5. Stir in the butter and vanilla and microwave at high power for 1 minute.

Here is where it gets a little tricky and you have to work quickly:

1. Gently stir in the baking soda until light and foamy.
2. Immediately pour onto lightly oiled (or sprayed with PAM) pan.
3. After you’ve poured out everything, tip the pan at about a 45 degree angle so it stretches out.
4. Allow to cool for 1 hour and then break into pieces.

Microwave Maple Fudge

Ingredients

• 1 16 ounce package confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp maple extract
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap.
2. In a large microwavable bowl, add the sugar, milk, maple extract and butter – DO NOT STIR.
3. Heat in the microwave on full power for 3 minutes.
4. Add the walnuts (or just stir if not using nuts) into the fudge mixture and stir until the fudge begins to thicken.
5. Pour into the lined baking dish.  Smooth the top of the fudge with a spatula.
6. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
7. Remove the fudge from the pan and cut into small squares.

Each recipe yields enough to pass out to co-workers, teachers or just savor yourself.

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