Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts – Homemade Cracker Jack Recipe
This Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts is a homemade take on classic Cracker Jack, with a rich caramel coating, salty peanuts, and that nostalgic sweet-and-salty crunch. It's a treat that's perfect for baseball season and everyday snacking.
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If you’ve already made my Classic Caramel Popcorn, you know how easy it is to turn a few pantry staples into something seriously snackable. This Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts is a nostalgic twist on that favorite, resulting in the best homemade Cracker Jack.
With crunchy popcorn coated in a rich caramel made from dark brown sugar and dark corn syrup, plus plenty of salty peanuts, this version leans into that deeper, molasses-like flavor that makes Cracker Jack so recognizable. It’s sweet, salty, and just the kind of treat that feels right at home during baseball season, whether you’re watching from the stands or your couch.
And while this homemade version doesn’t come with a prize tucked inside, the flavor more than makes up for it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A nostalgic, familiar version of the classic snack
- Sweet, crunchy caramel popcorn with salty peanuts
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Richer flavor thanks to dark brown sugar and dark corn syrup
- Perfect for movie nights, gift giving, or a day at the ball park
What Makes This Taste Like Cracker Jack?
Traditional Cracker Jack (not Cracker Jacks with an s, like I always thought) has a deeper, slightly molasses-forward flavor compared to standard caramel corn. To recreate that at home, use:
- Dark brown sugar to add extra molasses richness
- Dark corn syrup to deepen the caramel flavor
- Salted peanuts for balancing the sweetness with a salty crunch
The result is a caramel coating that’s a little more complex, a little more nostalgic, and completely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts recipe starts with pantry staples and turns into that crave-worthy snack we so closely associate with baseball games and prizes like temporary tattoos and fidget games.
- Popcorn: 20 cups popped popcorn (about ¾ cup kernels), air-popped or stovetop works best
- Salted peanuts: 1 ½ cups, for that classic sweet-and-salty crunch
- Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), for a rich caramel base
- Dark brown sugar: 2 cups, packed, for deeper molasses flavor
- Dark corn syrup: ½ cup, to enhance that signature Cracker Jack taste
- Kosher salt: 1 teaspoon, to balance sweetness
- Baking soda: ½ teaspoon, to create a light, crisp coating
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon, for warmth and flavor
How to Make Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts
Preheat the oven. Preheat to 250 degrees F and place racks in the center of the oven.
Pop the popcorn. Use an air popper or stovetop method to pop kernels. Add to a large bowl or roasting pan, which is my preferred method for easier cleanup.
Make the caramel. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the dark brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and salt. Stir frequently to avoid burning. As soon as the mixture starts to boil, stop stirring and set a timer for 4 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, remove from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble and lighten in texture from the baking soda.
Coat the popcorn and bake. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and peanuts, tossing gently to coat evenly. Spread evenly in the roasting pan, or transfer to 2 large baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Cool and store. Let the caramel popcorn with peanuts cool completely, then gently break into smaller pieces or clusters. Transfer to airtight containers or serving bags.
Tips For Homemade Cracker Jack
- Use dark ingredients. Dark brown sugar and dark corn syrup are key for achieving the classic molasses flavor. You can substitute light brown sugar and regular corn syrup, if needed.
- Don’t skip the baking step. This helps create that signature crisp coating
- Stir during baking. Don’t skip the baking, as it’s crucial in setting the caramel. Use a wooden spoon to stir every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and to help avoid burning.
- Cool completely. The caramel coating will harden even more as it cools. Once cooled, store in an airtight container or zip-top bags for up to 2 weeks.
- Swap the peanuts. Don’t like peanuts? Swap them for salted almonds to make an equally satisfying snack.
- Add your own prizes. Serve this as a party treat and place a sticker or small plastic toy into individual portions to complete the nostalgia factor. Just be sure to let guests know they’ll find a surprise inside!
This Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts has everything you love about Cracker Jack in a homemade version that’s so much fresher. It’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and completely irresistible. Give it a try today, or click on the pin button in the recipe card below to save on Pinterest.
Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts (Homemade Cracker Jack)
Ingredients
- 20 cups popped popcorn, about ¾ cup kernels
- 1½ cups salted cocktail peanuts
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- ½ cup dark corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Use an air popper to pop about 20 cups of popcorn. Add popcorn to a large bowl with salted peanuts.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
- Add brown sugar, corn syrup and salt, and stir constantly over medium heat. Once the mixture boils, stop stirring and set a timer for 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add in baking soda and vanilla. Stir well and carefully pour caramel over popcorn.
- Combine and transfer to two rimmed baking sheets or an extra large roasting pan.
- Place in preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Let cool, break into individual pieces and store in an airtight container.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
So very good!! I used the honey roasted peanuts from Trader Joes and they worked so well! All I need now is to come up with a “prize inside” — such a great recipe Reed!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The “prize” inside is so fun to ponder.