Popcorn Recipes

Caramel Popcorn with Pretzels and Nuts

This is one of my favorite popcorn recipes. I'm not sure why carmel popcorn is considered a treat only around the holidays? It's just as good around a bonfire as it is a fireplace. To me it's an any time treat that is easy to make.

Some thing sweet goes well with some thing salty, therefore, the salty popcorn, nuts and pretzels mixed with the sweet caramel is a tasty combination.

It takes about 25-30 minuets to make. Place the popcorn mix in an air tight container and it's ready to snack any time. If the weather is hot and humid, place the container with the popcorn mix in the freezer. The popcorn mix won't freeze, the freezer will keep it crispy and ready to eat.

For those that are counting calories, try the Spiced Honey Popcorn Balls recipe at the bottom of this page.

Popcorn Recipe:

• 1 Bag of Microwave Popcorn (Makes About 8 Cups)
• 2 Cups Salted Pretzels (Broken)
• 1 Cup Dry Roasted Peanuts
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup
• 1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Butter
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt (Optional)
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Place popped popcorn, pretzels and peanuts in a large bowl, remove any kernels that didn't pop.

Place brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a full boil. Continue to cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly.

For a crispier treat, boil the caramel mixture 2-3 minutes longer, be careful not to burn, or bake the finished popcorn mix in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Remove caramel mix from heat and stir in the salt, baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will foam up when you add the soda. Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn mix. The caramel mixture will harden quickly, therefor, stir the popcorn mix fast. Also, use a chopping motion to keep the popcorn mix in small clumps instead of one big ball.

For a crisper treat, place popcon mixture on cookie sheet or sheets, and put in a 250 drgree oven for about 30 minutes.

Makes about 12 servings

Spiced Honey Popcorn Balls Recipe:

• 1 Bag of Microwave Popcorn No Salt or Fat (Makes About 8 Cups)
• 1/4 Cup Honey
• 1/4 Teaspoon Grated Orange Rind (Optional)
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Margarine

Cut 12 (10 inch) squares of heavy duty plastic wrap or waxed paper; set aside.

Place popped popcorn in a shallow pan in the oven; bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes or until warm.

Combine honey, orange rind, and cinnamon in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add margarine; stir until margarine melts.

Immediately pour honey mixture over popcorn tossing to coat.

Place 1/2 cup popcorn mixture on each plastic wrap square; bring edges of plastic wrap together at top and twist.

For a crisper treat, place popcorn mix on cookie sheet or sheets in a 250 dgree oven for about 30 minutes. After popcorn cools break into small clusters and store in an air tight container.

For added goodness, double the spiced honey sauce recipe and add broken pretzel and peanuts to the popcorn.

Makes about 12 servings, about 50 calories each.

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