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Homemade Cracker Jacks

Source of Recipe

From "The Outdoor Table" by April McKinney


Recipe Introduction

"Could there be a better snack for an outdoor movie or show than old-fashioned cracker jacks? This homemade version is a tasty, fantastic treat for kids and adults."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 10 to 12 cups popped popcorn
â—¦ 1 cup Spanish peanuts
â—¦ ¼ cup light corn syrup
â—¦ 2 tablespoons molasses
â—¦ ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
â—¦ ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted
â—¦ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
â—¦ ½ teaspoon salt
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon baking soda


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 250° F. Place the popcorn and peanuts in a very large bowl.

In a medium heavy saucepan stir together the corn syrup, molasses, brown sugar, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the mixture until it reaches 250° F on a candy thermometer. Immediately remove the hot syrup from the heat, and stir in the vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Pour the syrup over the popcorn and peanuts, and gently toss everything together, using a wooden spoon, until well coated.

Spread the coated popcorn and peanuts onto a large baking sheet or two if needed. Place them in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through baking. Let the popcorn cool completely. Break the popcorn into pieces, and store the snack mix in an airtight container.


Makes 6 to 8 servings