Hi Margaret, because microwaves vary a lot in terms of temperature, and can also have hot spots, you may find that stirring the mixture once or twice while it's in the microwave (both when heating the sugar mixture initially, and once you add the peanuts (steps 3 and 5) will help you obtain a more even temperature throughout. Be careful when doing this not to burn yourself, as handling the hot bowl can be tricky! If you are hesitant to add these steps, don't worry if you brittle shows some minor color variation, as long as the flavor and texture remain good. It's also possible that another quick stir once you add the baking soda will result in more even color distribution. 

• Reply