Prepare an 8x8 baking dish by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil very well with nonstick cooking spray.
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and Honey or light corn syrup, and place the pan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then raise the heat to medium-high. Cook until it reaches 260 F (126 C) using a thermometer.
Then, add the peanuts, butter, and salt, and stir well. Turn the heat back down to medium.
Cook, stirring frequently, until it reaches 295 F (146 C). Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. The baking soda will cause the candy to foam up quite a bit.During the cooking process, it will develop a dark golden color and begin to smell like caramelizing sugar. Quickly spread it into the prepared baking dish.
In a microwave, melt the chocolate in 30 second increments stirring after each time until smooth. Then spread over the peanut brittle.
Let cool completely before portioning.