Monday, November 22, 2010

RECIPE: Easy Caramel Coated Popcorn

This is an easy recipe.  The hardest part is getting the sugar to the right color.  Just keep an eye on it because when you walk away, it's bound to get too brown (burnt sugar doesn't taste very good, I'm speaking from experience.  Our first batch was burnt!)

Here's what we did:
Easy Caramel Coated Popcorn (adapted from all*you magazine)
1 bag microwaveable popcorn
1-1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons butter, cut into cubes
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup nuts (we used dry roasted peanuts, but cashews would be amazing!)

Pop the popcorn according to box directions.  Line a cookie sheet with a cooling rack.  Pour the popcorn onto the rack and let the unpopped kernels fall onto the cookie sheet.  Spray a large mixing bowl with non stick cooking spray.  Pour the popcorn into the bowl; set aside.  Toss out the unpopped kernels and spray cookie sheet with non stick cooking spray; set aside.

Stir together sugar, water and corn syrup in large sauce pot and bring to boil over medium high heat.  Once it boils, reduce heat to medium and do not stir.  Watch it carefully to see color change from clear to amber.  It can take as little at 4 minutes and as long as 10 minutes.  Amber is the color you are looking for, not rust.  

Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, stir to combine.  It will bubble ferociously, so make sure you start out using a large pot.  Pour the sugar caramel mixture over the popcorn, add nuts and stir and toss to coat evenly.  Pour onto prepared cookie sheet and spread out to cool.  After about 15 minutes, break into bite sized pieces and enjoy.

Our first batch burnt.  You can see how dark the caramel was.  It tasted terrible.  Sissy said "what's wrong with it, it tastes yucky!"...

Our second batch didn't get as dark as I would have liked.  After our first mishap, I was afraid it might burn and the kids were getting impatient, so while it didn't get caramel brown, it did taste delicious!

Enjoy!

This post has also been linked to:

8 comments:

Mandy said...

Hmm, I've never made my own batch of caramel popcorn before. We rarely keep popcorn in the house. I should try it! Vivian does really enjoy eating it.

Disasters must've been going around this weekend. I had my own as well and just finished sharing it here - (Hahaha!) - http://learn-laugh-cook.blogspot.com/2010/11/cooking-disasters-example-1-apple-bars.html

Hope you and your family has a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Jenna @ Newlyweds said...

Yum Yum Yum, I will have to try this too!

Lisa said...

YUM! This is perfect for holiday gifts or to munch on during a party!

Melinda said...

Oh my - I agree the cashews in it would be just divine! caramel corn just tastes like the holidays to me!

Hunger and Thirst said...

Hooray, I love caramel popcorn. I carry on an old family tradition in my home and serve caramel popcorn for dinner every now and again. It's such a fun treat. Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.

The Wise Alternative 918-836-0565 said...

I have to admit I've never made my own caramel popcorn before....but now I will very soon!! Thanks for a great recipe and for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.

Couscous & Consciousness said...

Yum - love caramel popcorn - definitely a must try :-)
Sue

Rebecca Jean said...

This has been on my mind for nearly a month now. I keep seeing all these posts about caramel popcorn, but never get around to making it.

I even had a jar of cashews and peanuts waiting, but I waited so long that I ate all the nuts! Nuts.

I'm making this this weekend. I swear!

Thanks for linking to Midnight Maniac Meatless Mondays.

♥ Rebecca Jean
Midnight Maniac

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails