Caramel Popcorn

My roommate at college made this once and I have never eaten store-bought popcorn since.  It is so good, you have to make at least 2 batches because you eat 1/2 of the first while the 2nd one is cooking.  I usually make this around the holidays because I gift it to family and friends, co-workers.  And it is so indulgent, I cannot keep it around the house on a regular basis.  It is such a treat that I look forward to at this time of year. 

So simple……here is how it goes.

FIRST STEP:

Prepare the popcorn.  I use Newman’s Tender White microwave popcorn but you can pop your own.  I just like the texture and saltiness level of this and it is less greasy.  Put popped corn in a 13×9 casserole dish.  You will need room to stir and it gets a bit messy.   HAVE THIS READY BEFORE YOU START THE CARAMEL!

SECOND STEP:

Add butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt to a medium sauce pan.   Heat to combine and bring to a boil on low/medium heat, stirring occasionally using a silicone spatula, VERY IMPORTANT.

Once it is boiling on this same low/medium heat, let it boil WITHOUT stirring for 5 minutes.  

THIS NEXT PART IS WHEN YOU HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY OR ELSE THE CARAMEL GETS TOO GOOEY AND CLUMPY.

Add the vanilla and baking soda OFF THE HEAT and stir using THE SAME silicone spatula (VERY IMPORTANT).  It will turn a lighter caramel color and get nice and light and fluffy.  After stirring for about 30 sec. at a fast pace, pour over prepared popcorn to cover.  It will not cover every piece yet and this is OK.  Stir using a WOODEN SPOON like this to get as much coverage as you can. Or find some similar tool you have in your kitchen.  The flat edge is key!

THIRD STEP:

Bake for 15 minutes, stir again using said wooden spoon shown above as it will get all the caramel stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Bake another 5 min., remove from oven and dump out onto a prepared cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to cool in a single layer.

This is where you start picking

…………….and picking

………….one more

……………..really

…………..just ONE more!!!!

HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!

Just to make your tastebuds wake up a bit more, take a close up view.

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Caramel Popcorn

you will never eat store-bought popcorn again!!!!  REALLY!

Course: Dessert, Snack

Keyword: popcorn

Author: maura

Ingredients

Prepare this before making the caramel

• 8 c. popped corn I use microwave popcorn but you can use fresh-popped

Add to pan on stovetop

• ¾ c. brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. butter
• 3 tbsp. light corn syrup
• ¼ tsp. salt

Take off heat and add:

• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 deg F

2. Prepare popcorn and arrange in a 13 x 9 casserole dish.

3. In medium sauce pan, combine brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup and salt. Heat to boil (will be at around low/medium heat), stirring occasionally.

4. Cook without stirring for 5 min.
5. Remove from heat, add baking soda and vanilla and stir.
6. Pour over popcorn evenly.
7. Bake 15 minutes.
8. Stir to redistribute caramel over all popcorn.
9. Bake 5 more minutes.
10. Remove from oven and let cool on parchment paper. Break into clusters.