Homemade Cracker Jacks

Most people have fond childhood memories eating this boxed treat: sitting on the porch listening to the baseball game with grandpa or catching a fly ball while watching the game with dad.  My childhood memory? The taste of stale depression! I hated the boxed version of this stuff growing up! The prizes were the worse!!  Tattoos that faded if you sweat too much...lol.  Never mind my aunts made fresh caramel corn growing up, so getting sub par, fake caramel corn was a no go!

This version is similar to the original in name only.  This version is fresh and delicious and addictive! Trust me when I say you will want to make a double batch!

Homemade Cracker Jacks
Adapted from: http://thechicsite.com/2013/10/17/homemade-cracker-jack/


What you need:

• 9 cups freshly popped plain popcorn
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 Tbsp molasses
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2-1 cup lightly salted peanuts or pecans

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 
• Place freshly popped popcorn and peanuts in the largest bowl you have. Set aside.
• In a medium heavy bottomed sauce pot, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, salt, and water. Set over medium heat to melt butter and sugar. 
• Cook sugar mixture until it has come to a boil, stirring to ensure even cooking.
• Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla extract, whisking to combine.  
• BE CAREFUL! The caramel will bubble and rise when you add the baking soda.
• Pour warm caramel over popcorn and peanut mixture. 
• Using a large spatula, fold to distribute caramel and ensure each popcorn kernel gets a little sauce.
• Spread caramel popcorn into a thin even layer over prepared baking sheet. If necessary, use more than one baking sheet if popcorn does not fit. 
• Bake for 45 minutes; stirring once after about 15 minutes
• Remove from oven and let popcorn cool slightly. Break up any large clumps that may have formed. 
• Store in an airtight container.