Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Caramel Popcorn


All I want for Christmas is this Caramel Popcorn. Actually wait, my boyfriend might read this and there is that handbag I've been hinting at. So allow me to rephrase; All I want for Christmas goodies is this Caramel Popcorn. I've been doing my holiday baking and I always make the usual: cookies, pies, biscotti and rum balls. This year however, I needed something new. I've been wanting to make Caramel Popcorn for a while and I figured it would be a perfect addition to my holiday treats. Unfortunately for me or my friends for that matter, Santa never puts any self control under my tree and I can't stop eating it! I imagine I'll have to make many more batches if anyone else is to receive any. This recipe contains the perfect balance of sweet and salty. But I do warn you, it's extremely addictive, unless of course you possess an ounce of will power. Which I don't so if you do, please pass some my way.

RECIPE courtesy of Epicurious:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
11/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup salted peanuts (5 oz)

Special equipment: a candy thermometer

preparation

Heat oil with 3 kernels in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, covered, over moderate heat until 1 or 2 kernels pop. Remove lid and quickly add remaining kernels, then cook, covered, shaking pan frequently, until kernels stop popping, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and uncover.

Line bottom of a large shallow baking pan with foil. Lightly oil foil. Melt butter in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring, then boil, without stirring, until syrup registers 300°F on thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.

Using a wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula, stir salt and baking soda into syrup, then quickly stir in peanuts and popcorn to coat. Immediately spread mixture in baking pan as thinly and evenly as possible. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.

9 comments:

Hallie Fae said...

My boyfriend just bought me a hot air popcorn machine and I can't wait to try this recipe with it. It looks sooo good!

Anonymous said...

I remember when I was a little girl my parents used to buy me a large tin full of caramel and chocolate-covered popcorn during the holidays. Seeing this really made me smile :)

Wendy said...

My mother makes somethign very near this, but she has to bake the popcorn and try to stir it every 15 minutes for an hour. This sounds SO much easier! And easier to drizzle chocolate bark on as well.

Anonymous said...

That really looks delicious. I'd like to invite you to take some time to drop by at Foodista and share this delicious recipe with us. We have launched an online food and cooking encyclopedia ala wikipedia. Add a recipe and you can win a $100 gift card to Sur la table. Don't forget to register first so we know who to thank the recipe for. Thanks! See you there!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

LOL! Great post. I've been wanting to try caramel corn, too but have yet to. Yours looks delish.

I just saw a gorgeous purse at Coach that I might have to add to my list. Thanksfully it's not too late as my Honey just asked again what I wanted. I'm terrible about waiting until the very last second to decide. Good luck getting yours!
~ingrid

Madeline said...

Yay for nice boyfriends Hallie Fae! Popcorn machines are so handy.

Hi Megan, drizzling chocolate over this recipe sounds fantastic! Thanks for the idea :)

Hi Wendy, I looked at many recipes that called for your Mother's method but they all seemed like too much work! This way is so easy and I like easy ;)

Thanks Foodista, I'll check it out.

Thanks Ingrid! I was one lucky girl this year, hope you were too :)

Anonymous said...

Simple but so nice from time to time :)

Since I found your blog, I wanted to invite you to recipe-blogs.com

We're building a community of quality recipe bloggers and provide a directory which lists blogs according to how much visitors think recipes are praiseworthy. It works both for visitors of the site and the blogs and it doesn't require visitors to register (although their are advantages to !).
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Happy holidays !
Phil

Peter M said...

Hi Madeline, you'ver reminded me of eating caramel corn from a tin called "Poppycock".

I think I'll fetch a bag today.

Thanks for visiting my site.

Madeline said...

Thanks for the invite Phil, I'll check it out.

Great site Peter! Yes Poppycock, that reminds me, next time I'll add a variety of nuts. Delicious!

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