Caramel Corn!

Hi there!!  A couple of super fun things to share today.

First, a little outside Halloween inspiration.

If you pop over to HGTV Gardens, you can spot my haunted garden.

 It is in a post about Halloween parties in the garden.

Fun fun!

Also, do I have a treat for you!!?

From my beloved lovely Mom.

It's a recipe for…

Make you faint, delicious, outrageous, blow your mind, baked caramel popcorn.

(recipe at the bottom)

My mom never shares this recipe.

It's a little secret treat she bakes up, that makes everyone swoon.

I started making it myself a couple of years ago, especially for Mister Lovee's all boys get togethers.

Everyone goes bonkers over it.

I mean, bonkers.

My neighbor has been begging me for the recipe for a year.

And, I finally got clearance from my mom.

I sheepishly asked, would there be any chance I could share this recipe on my blog?

And she said, sure.

In the nicest voice ever.

Suuuuuure, of course you can my love.

And I was like, I can????

It's really a knock your socks off recipe.

(shared at the end of this post)

Everyone who tastes it will have the wide eyeball look.

Trust me.

You make your caramel from scratch, but it's really easy.

Oh and, you must pop your own popcorn.

No bagged microwave stuff.

Trust me, it's just not the same at all.

I don't know why. 

I tried it, not good.

So, pop your own.

I went to Target or Wal-Mart (can't recall) and got a popper for $12 or $15.

It is totally worth it.  I use it all the time.

I make a large roasting pan full of popcorn.

Actually, I fill the kernels to the max line in my popper, and it makes exactly the amount of popcorn you will need.

Then I set my popcorn aside and make the caramel.

As soon as the caramel is done, you turn off the flame and quickly mix in some baking soda.

Then you pour the caramel over the popcorn, and stir it up really well.

Then, pop it in the pre-heated oven.

You will take the popcorn out every few minutes and stir it around.

Then put it back in.

You must do this.

My popcorn cooks up in less time than my mom's, but my gas oven is crazy hot.

I am telling you.

Butter and brown sugar…

Crunchy.

Melt in your mouth, flavors exploding!

Caramel popcorn outrageousness!!!

 

Here is the recipe:

 

Baked Caramel Corn

from Yvonne Valencia 🖤

 

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup (light)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 quarts popped popcorn (24 cups)

(if you would like, you can put in some of your favorite nuts as well)

(Preheat oven at 250' F)

Pop your popcorn and set it aside.

 

In a saucepan on the stove top, carefully melt butter so it does not burn.

After butter is melted add brown sugar, corn syrup, salt.

Bring to a boil stirring constantly.

Then let boil without stirring for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.

Gradually pour over popcorn, already popped and in a pan (large roaster).

Bake at 250'F for 1 hour, stirring every 15minutes.

Remove from pan & break apart immediately.

Cool on parchment paper if you would like.

Popcorn will get crunchier as it cools.

 

(my tips:  I place my oven racks in the center of the oven, so the popcorn is not close to the top of the oven.  My popcorn cooks in 35 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes or so.  The way to know it is done is to taste test.  With a gloved hand and long spoon, take out a couple pieces carefully (I can not be responsible if you burn yourself).  Blow on them to completely cool, then eat.  If they stick to your teeth, they are not done.  They should be crunchy, not sticky.  Also, I leave my popcorn in the roaster after I take it out of the oven, and toss it with my wooden spoon every so often until it cools)

Enjoy!!!

Thanks Mombie!!  For sharing your recipe!!!

I hope some of you get to make it, and enjoy it oodles.

See you sooooon!

 

Love, V

 

Oopsie, I almost forgot, oh my!!  Winner for Tracy's lovely creation is….

#17Kyra Wilson! YAY!

e-mail me your snail mail addy please!

 

 

 

ps:  Lots of regular posts over at my other blog

PastriesandSweets.com  🖤