Stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt in an 8-cup glass measuring bowl. Place in microwave and cook on high 7-8 minutes. Stir well after 4 minutes (wooden spoon can be left in bowl).
Add butter and vanilla to syrup, blending well. Return to microwave and cook 1 minute more. Peanuts will be lightly browned and syrup very hot. Add baking soda and gently stir until light and creamy. Pour and spread mixture quickly onto lightly greased (flexible) cookie sheet. Let cook 1/2 hour. When cool, break into small pieces.
Variations: If roasted salted peanuts are used, omit salt and add peanuts after first 4 minutes of cooking. 1 cup pecans or 1 cup sesame seeds may be substituted for peanuts after first 4 minutes. (Wooden spoon an be left in bowl). |