A delightful treat that combines the rich, buttery flavor of caramel popcorn with a variety of other crunchy ingredients, making it a perfect choice for movie nights, parties, or just a cozy evening at home.
Ingredients
Scale:
10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups pretzel sticks
1 cup roasted peanuts (or your favorite nuts)
1 cup chocolate candies (like M&M's or chocolate-covered pretzels)
1 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
Start by popping the popcorn using an air popper or on the stovetop with a little oil. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl, ensuring there are no unpopped kernels.
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Allow the caramel to boil without stirring for about 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning. The mixture should become a rich golden color.
Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be cautious.
Immediately pour the caramel over the popped popcorn. Using a spatula, gently fold the caramel into the popcorn until it’s evenly coated.
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the caramel-coated popcorn onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
Once baked, remove the caramel corn from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. This will make it crunchy and less sticky.
Once cooled, break the caramel corn into pieces and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the pretzel sticks, roasted peanuts, chocolate candies, and mini marshmallows. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
