Linda’s Baked Caramel Corn

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     This recipe makes the perfect crunchy, buttery caramel corn.  It is perfect for a party and just like what you get at the baseball stadium.  The best part is you can make it ahead!

      When you sweet tooth hits, but you also need something crunchy and a little salty, caramel corn is the perfect answer.  This recipe makes nice crisp but buttery and sweet caramel corn. 

It comes together quickly and then bakes to the perfect finish.  It is a must make for movie night, parties and game day!

 When we decided to throw a baseball themed baby shower for my little sister, we knew we had to have all of the bases covered. (Ha! See what I did there?!)

   We needed peanuts, hot dogs and nachos.  We needed plenty of pennants and of course we needed caramel corn.

  After all, you can’t have a day at the ballpark without something along the lines of Cracker Jacks, can you? I was immediately volunteered for the role of caramel corn maker.  I have been making my husband’s grandma’s recipe for the last few years and it is always a hit.

     I knew I had all of the ingredients on hand, so I didn’t worry too much about it.  That is until I went to make it!

       You see her recipe starts the way you’d expect to make caramel corn. You mix together brown sugar and butter and all of the goodies to make a caramel.

    Then you pour it over the popcorn… but that is where the familiar part ends. She puts it all in a brown paper grocery sack, gives it a few good shakes and finished it in the microwave.

    You take it out to shake it a few times and then spread it out to cool.  The result is that perfectly crunchy caramel corn you’d expect when trying to emulate a box of ballpark famous Cracker Jacks.

      So I went to the cabinet where we keep the paper bags and it was bare!  We almost always bring cloth bags to the grocery store, but I try to remember to get paper bags while we are there every so often.

      I do like to use them to keep track of the paper for the recycling bin and of course to make an occasional batch of caramel corn.  But it looked like the recycle bin had been the lucky recipient of the last bag… and I needed to make caramel corn!!

     That’s when it hit me.  Linda (of carrot cake fame) makes great caramel corn, and she finishes it in the oven.  Sure, it would take a bit longer but I knew the results would be fabulous.

     When I used to live nearby, she’d have to make an extra batch if she knew I was going to be around.  The stuff is so addictive!   I love mine with plenty of peanuts and within arm’s reach!

       So I made a couple of big batches.  It was every bit as good as I remembered it being.  I bagged some up for favors and put a bag at each place for the shower.

      I kept the rest in an airtight container until party time and then put it in big bowls at the center of the tables.  People kept reaching for it and had it nearly polished off during the party and it wasn’t for lack of options!  That’s how you know it’s good.

      The best part is you can make it ahead of time if you are wanting it for a party.  Just keep it sealed and it will hold for a week or two, or so I’ve heard.  I’ve never managed to keep it around that long.  I know it does keep for at least 5 days.

     So go ahead and make a batch, or maybe go ahead and make two.  You might as well!

More great popcorn recipes:

• Hillbilly Hash Popcorn is a peanut butter popcorn and candy corn extravaganza!
• Peanut Butter Popcorn is like this crunchy caramel corn but with a peanut butter twist!
• Strawberries and Cream Popcorn is another sweet popcorn goodie.  It is creamy and dotted with berries for that perfect combination. 
• Grandma’s Microwave Caramel Corn is like this classic recipe, but you finish it in the microwave so it’s ready to eat in half the time. 
• Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Popcorn Balls are the perfect mix of chewy, gooey and crunchy.  They are a fun classic treat that can be modified for so many occasions. 

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