I made a huge batch of this caramel nut popcorn crunch in preparation for all the baseball games I’d be watching in October. I had enough popcorn to last me until the Dodgers made it to the World Series. Unfortunately I was too optimistic. The Dodgers lost last week to the Cardinals. (Sigh.) It’s just like last year, except much earlier in the post season. Oh well, there’s always next year!
I’m just really hoping the Cardinals beat the Giants this week. Obviously being born and raised in Los Angeles, I could never ever in a million years root for the San Francisco Giants. Although, let’s not get into the whole NorCal/SoCal rivalry here. Let’s talk about caramel popcorn.
As a kid, boxes of Cracker Jack and Crunch n’ Munch were not safe around me. I was notorious for eating an entire box in one sitting, and equally known for complaining about the ensuing stomachache that comes with consuming that much sugar.
My sweet tooth has definitely changed over the years. I need a touch of salt to go along with sweets. I don’t like having all the popcorn kernels completely covered in caramel. It ends up being too sweet and I can only eat a handful before getting bored of the flavor. To cut the sweetness from the caramel, I added a touch of ground cinnamon to round out the flavors. To amp the crunch factor, I also threw in some salted peanuts and almonds.
Luckily, caramel popcorn isn’t just for watching baseball. They’re perfect for television watching, movie nights, and game nights.
But best of all, caramel popcorn is the perfect topping for chocolate cake! Have a sneak peek at the new peanut butter chocolate cake I’m working on for Halloween!
Caramel Nut Crunch Popcorn
Yield: about 11 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 oz bag of microwave popcorn (no oil or salt added), about 10 cups popped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 3/4 cup salted almonds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or silpat non-stick baking mat) and set aside.
- Place popcorn in the largest bowl you have.
- In a heavy bottomed sauce pot, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and water. Set over medium heat to melt butter and sugar. Using a candy thermometer (or food safe thermometer), cooked mixture to 250 degrees F. Stir mixture as needed to ensure even cooking.
- Once desired temperature is reached, remove pot from heat. Add baking soda and whisk to combine. (BE CAREFUL when adding the baking soda, as the caramel mixture will bubble up and rise!) Whisk in salt, vanilla, and cinnamon until combined.
- Pour hot caramel over popcorn. Using a large spatula, fold to distribute caramel. Add peanuts and almonds and fold until incorporated. Spread caramel popcorn into an even layer over prepared baking. (If necessary, use more than one baking sheet if popcorn does not fit.) Bake for 60 minutes, stirring popcorn every 20 minutes to ensure even caramel coating.
- Remove from oven and let popcorn mixture cool slightly. Break up any large chunks that may have formed. Allow to cook to room temperature and store in an airtight container.
adapted from Ezra Pound Cake
Trang
So true about your sweet tooth changing, I used to think it’s so weird to add salt in cakes and cookies, but now I NEED it, the salt that is. You are like my new blog crush! I just love your photography, it makes me want to tear through the screen and grab a couple morsels of caramel popcorn!
Maryanne Cabrera
A little pinch of salt makes everything taste better! Thank you SO MUCH! I really, really appreciate it :)
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
I’ll eat the rest of your caramel popcorn while watching the Giants beat the Cardinals (Although, I really have no town spirit, I’m just saying that to rile you up).
Also – YOU PUT CARAMEL POPCORN ON CUPCAKES?! I’m dying. <3
Maryanne Cabrera
Sigh. I don’t want to talk about baseball anymore. lol.
YES. I got tired of eating the popcorn as is. But caramel popcorn with chocolate cake and peanut butter frosting is an entirely different beast. IT’S SO GOOD!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
I too loved me some cracker jacks! And always ate the entire box in one sitting. It is so true about your sweet tooth changing. I used to love chocolate, now I’m more of a fruit girl.
This caramel nut popcorn is swoon worthy. Totally going to make this. Pinning!
Maryanne Cabrera
Thanks Jen! During the winter I’m totally all about chocolate, but as soon as spring/summer hits, it’s fruits, fruits, fruits!
Carla (@charliesue)
POPCORN TO TOP A CAKE?! IN.
Maryanne Cabrera
YES. It’ true! :)
Sarah+|+Savoring+Spoon
Caramel! Possibly one of my favorite flavors – I love that the caramel is really mixed into the popcorn well instead of just drizzled on. ;) gotta get as much caramel as I can in a bite.
Maryanne Cabrera
I totally agree! There needs to be a good caramel to popcorn ratio!