Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts (Homemade Cracker Jack)
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.
Servings: 12
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.