Microwave fudge and peanut brittle and an 80s microwave cocktail party in SLC

On a semi-regular basis, some food loving girlfriends (Becky @slcfoodie, Tiffany @foodfinery, and Aimee @flitryss) and I get together for themed cocktail parties. Our first was the vintage cocktail party and our most recent was the 80s microwave cocktail party. The rules were simple—everything we ate must have been made in the microwave (except for the cocktails, of course).  My contribution was desserts: specifically fudge and peanut brittle.

Both of these recipes go WAY back to my childhood when we got our first microwave—a huge contraption that likely had little power and no turning carousel except the one we bought from True Value Hardware that eventually melted. The fudge recipe was one of my favorites for decades. It takes two minutes and is a good recipe for kids to make to have fun in the kitchen. The peanut brittle is frankly the best peanut brittle recipe I’ve ever found. It’s one of the few things I believe is done better in the microwave than on the stove.

Microwave Fudge Recipe

• 1 12 oz. package of milk chocolate chips
• ½ can of sweetened condensed milk
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ½ cup chopped nuts

Directions

Microwave the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk for 1 ½ minutes on high. Stir in vanilla and nuts and immediately spread onto wax paper. Let set up. Cut into pieces and enjoy.

Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 ½ cups of salted, roasted peanuts
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda

Directions

Combine sugar, syrup and salt in two-quart microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir. Repeat until peanuts are lightly browned. Sitr in butter, vanilla and baking soda until light and foamy. Spread to ¼ inch thickness on a buttered cookie sheet or wax paper. Let set up. Break into pieces.

You can read more about the 80s Microwave Cocktail Party on Aimee’s blog.