Sweet N Nutty Popcorn Crunch Recipes

POPCORN CRUNCH

Steps:

• Mix together popped corn and nuts.
• In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and margarine.
• Bring to a boil, and boil 10 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
• When mixture turns light caramel in color, remove from heat, and stir in popcorn and nuts.
• Spread out on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Break apart when cool.
• Can be dipped or spread with chocolate, if desired.
• Makes about 40 pieces.
• Cooking time does not include popping the popcorn.

NUTTY TOFFEE POPCORN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine popcorn and nuts. In a small heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and cream of tartar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300°-310° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat; quickly stir in baking soda and extract until mixture is light and foamy. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss gently. Spread into two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Press gently to flatten. Cool completely. Break into pieces.

DELICIOUS POPCORN CRUNCH

Steps:

• Line baking sheets with aluminum foil.
• Combine popcorn, cranberries, pecans, and chocolate pieces together in a bowl.
• Stir sugar, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract together in a heavy saucepan; cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling, about 5 minutes. Boil mixture for 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vinegar.
• Pour sugar mixture over popcorn mixture; mix until evenly coated. Spread coated popcorn mixture onto prepared baking sheets; cool. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

SWEET & SPICY POPCORN CRUNCH OR BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside.
• Pop popcorn according to package directions, get rid of unpopped kernels; set aside.
• Make caramel: Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high, and cook, without stirring, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, swirling pot occasionally.
• Remove mixture from heat and quickly stir in salt, vanilla, cinnamon & cayenne with a heatproof spatula or spoon. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture and stir to incorporate. Divide popcorn mixture evenly between baking sheets. Transfer to oven and bake, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Let cool on sheet pans before breaking apart into clusters. Store popcorn in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• *Note: If you opt for the 'pepitas' the pumpkin seeds instead of nuts (use one or the other not both) ~ you will need to toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until browned and popping, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Do this in batches, if needed.) Then, add to the popcorn.
• *If making popcorn balls, use following directions: When the popcorn is cool enough to handle, coat your hands with some butter and shape into 4-inch balls. Wrap in waxed paper and tie with a string, if desired. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to a week.

CARAMEL PRETZEL NUT POPCORN

Steps:

• Place the pretzels, popcorn and peanuts into a large paper bag or, if you have one, a very large bowl. Set aside.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Cook, stirring to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar, until the mixture comes to a boil. Once the mixture is at a full boil, continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat, and stir in the salt, vanilla, and baking soda. The mixture will foam up when you add the soda, so use a long spoon to stir. Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the popcorn and pretzels in the bag. Shake until evenly coated. For a crispier treat, boil the sugar mixture longer, or bake the finished mix in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 10 minutes.