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5 from 1 vote

Caramel Nut Crunch Popcorn

Whip up a batch of these caramel nut popcorn crunch. It's a homemade version of Cracker Jacks and Crunch N Munch!
Yield: about 11 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 633kcal
Author: Maryanne Cabrera

Ingredients

  • 3 oz bag microwave popcorn (no oil or salt added),* about 10 cups popped
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup salted peanuts
  • ¾ cup salted almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or silpat non-stick baking mat) and set aside.
  • Place popcorn in the largest bowl you have. Set aside
  • 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° 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.

Notes

Use this recipe post to make your own microwave popcorn bag.

Nutrition

Calories: 633kcal, Carbohydrates: 70g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 414mg, Potassium: 436mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 48g, Vitamin A: 510IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 114mg, Iron: 2mg