Name: Caramel Corn
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 40
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 to 5 quarts popped popcorn (a double batch of this popcorn recipe, unsalted, unbuttered), any un-popped kernels removed; 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup dark corn syrup; 1 tablespoon molasses; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 cups salted peanuts (optional)

Ingredients

40 serv.

4 to 5 quarts popped popcorn (a double batch of this popcorn recipe, unsalted, unbuttered), any un-popped kernels removed
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups salted peanuts (optional)

Instructions

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1 Preheat the oven to 225°F.
2 Place the already popped popcorn in a large roasting pan. Pick through it to remove any unpopped kernels.
3 Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, molasses, and salt in an oven-proof, thick-bottomed, 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil.
4 Clip a candy thermometer to the pot. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the candy thermometer reaches 250°F, or a small amount of mixture dropped in ice water forms a hard ball (about 12 to 14 minutes).
5 The caramel will foam up a little and turn a lighter color when you add the baking soda.
6 Carefully pour the caramel into the popcorn that's in the large roasting pan. (If you would like peanuts with your popcorn, sprinkle the salted peanuts over the caramel sauce at this point.) Using a wooden spoon, stir until all popcorn is coated. (Be careful not to let the caramel touch you; it's very hot.)
7 Place in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and stir to more evenly coat the popcorn with the caramel sauce. Return to oven. Continue cooking for 20 minutes more.
8 Immediately the spread caramel corn out onto parchment paper or a silicone mat. Let cool completely. Break into bite-sized pieces. Store in a tightly covered container. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!