Thursday, December 2, 2010

Old Fashioned Caramel Corn

Who remembers loving crackerjacks when they had actual toys inside? Did that just fill your head with all kinds of childhood memories? Maybe an old time baseball game or kicking around with friends or a visit to the dentist because your filling got pulled out?  Yeah, us too. Okay, maybe not the filling part but growing up crackerjack was a wonderful treat. All kinds of goofy trinkets and toys, mini baseball cards in there with the caramel popcorn and roasted nuts. We were at our friends Steve and Sarah's house the other week while Sarah was putting together a batch or spicy caramel corn. With our candy day coming up Charisse wanted some practice making caramel and what could be better to practice with than some good old fashioned caramel corn? Armed with a pot, a candy thermometer popcorn and various forms of sugar Charisse put together a most amazing candied snack ever. Once its cooled and broken up into chunks the caramel corn is everything you'd expect it to be. We found these popcorn bags somewhere and it makes such a great gift box or an awesome movie night snack, especially if you have kids that do slumber parties.





Old Fashioned Caramel Corn
What You Will Need

1/2 popcorn kernels 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 Tbs butter
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda

Pop your popcorn however way you choose. We use about 2 Tbs oil in our dutch oven and heat it until hot, adding the kernels, covering and shaking the pot occasionally until all the kernels have popped.

In a heavy bottomed sauce pot, stir together the sugars, corn syrup and water and bring to boil, stirring occasionally throughout process. Cover and let boil for about 2 minutes. Uncover pot and using a candy thermometer, boil until temp reaches 240* F (soft ball stage).  At this point add butter and bring temp up to 300* (hard crack stage)  Remove from heat and very carefully mix in the salt and baking soda. The baking soda will cause the mixture to foam up. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss with wooden spoons until all the popcorn is well coated.  Spread out on a baking sheet and try to spread as thin as possible. Let cool for a couple minutes then using forks, break up into as many separate pieces as possible. Let cool completely.  

22 comments:

  1. This looks so good! It seems easy and I love the addition of the old school popcorn bag! Great timing with so many holiday eating events upcoming. Thanks!

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  2. Oh yummy. This is totally my favorite food in the world. Well done, yours looks nice and caramel-ly!!

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  3. I am hiding this from my son. This looks too scrumptious. When I make it - I want it to be a surprise.

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  4. DVD snack king! I like mine salted. :)

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  5. I have made this before, and it's very addicting. I could eat the whole batch.

    We live in the Chicago area and Garrett's popcorn is all the rage. they always have a line out the door. They have caramel, cheese, and cHOCOLATE covered caramel corn! What a sugar rush!

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  6. Looks great! I make my caramel in the microwave and it's usually a bit hit! I'll have to try the stove top method, too.

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  7. I just made caramel corn too!! but we went out of control and added bacon!? Yours has a much better coating of caramel though :) Caramel corn is so addicting.. I can't stop eating it!

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  8. delicious presentation looks wonderful

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  9. i just wanna grab a pack and enjoy with a flick n munch!

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  10. Even if caramel corn wasn't part of my childhood, I still love it and read EVERY caramel corn recipe I see. This was great!

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  11. Gorgeous presentation. The baking soda is an unusual touch.

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  12. oh yum! you can never go wrong with caramel corn!!

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  13. Looks great!
    So which movie are we watching, then? :)

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  14. How delicious! I always loved (and still do love) CrackerJack! I think you still get a toy, but it's some lame toy that no one wants.

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  15. Oh my!! I'm definitely saving this recipe! It looks wonderful!!

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  16. I already left a comment but CONGRATS on being in the Top 9 today! Yipee!

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  17. Your caramel popcorn look fabulous!! I made a batch recently, isn't is great?!

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  19. Yeah baby! This is one of my FAVORITE holiday treats!

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  20. Oh! I haven't had this kind of popcorns for age...will love to have it right now...looks so tasty and so crunchy :-)

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  21. I wish I had a bowl of this caramel deliciousness right now. Great photos and I will be making this before the month is over. Nice photos!!

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  22. Picture it, Sunday night, a huge bowl of caramel deliciousness and Christian Kane or I mean Leverage!

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