Ultimate Caramel Crunch
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Ultimate Caramel Crunch recipe that combines the irresistible flavors of fresh popcorn, crunchy pretzels, and a luxurious homemade caramel sauce. Tossed together with peanuts and vibrant candies, this snack is baked to perfection and is perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a cozy treat at home.
6.5
Servings
805 kcal
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
plain popped popcorn
4 quarts (none)
miniature pretzels
5 cups (none)
packed brown sugar
2 cups (none)
butter
1 cup (cubed)
dark corn syrup
1/2 cup (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salted peanuts
1 cup (none)
non-chocolate candies (gumdrops, Skittles, etc.)
2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
2
Line two 9x13 inch baking pans with parchment paper and lightly grease them.
3
Place the plain popped popcorn and miniature pretzels in a large mixing bowl, setting them aside for later.
4
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the packed brown sugar, cubed butter, dark corn syrup, and salt.
5
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a rolling boil.
6
Continue cooking and stirring until a candy thermometer reads 238°F (soft-ball stage).
7
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda until fully incorporated.
8
Quickly pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and pretzels, stirring well to ensure even coating.
9
Mix in the salted peanuts for extra crunch.
10
Divide the mixture between the prepared baking pans.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
12
Remove from the oven to stir the caramel corn, ensuring even baking.
13
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
14
Allow the caramel corn to cool for a few minutes before adding the non-chocolate candies for a colorful touch.
15
Once cooled completely, break the caramel corn into clusters.
16
Store the caramel corn clusters in airtight containers or plastic bags to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
39 g
Fat
106.6 g
Carbs
9.2 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Caramel Crunch?
Ultimate Caramel Crunch is a sweet and crunchy snack made with popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, and non-chocolate candies coated in a homemade caramel sauce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 6.5 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to a low temperature of 200°F (93°C).
What size baking pans are needed?
You will need two 9x13 inch baking pans for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pans?
Line the pans with parchment paper and lightly grease them to prevent the caramel from sticking.
How much popcorn is required?
The recipe calls for 4 quarts of plain popped popcorn.
What type of pretzels should I use?
Use 5 cups of miniature pretzels for the best crunch and size ratio.
What ingredients are in the caramel sauce?
The caramel sauce is made from packed brown sugar, cubed butter, dark corn syrup, and salt.
What temperature should the caramel reach on a candy thermometer?
The caramel mixture should reach 238°F, which is known as the soft-ball stage.
Why is baking soda added to the caramel?
Baking soda is added to the caramel to create a chemical reaction that makes the sauce lighter and easier to spread over the popcorn.
When do I add the peanuts?
Stir in the salted peanuts after pouring the caramel over the popcorn and pretzels but before placing the pans in the oven.
How long does the caramel corn bake in total?
The mixture bakes for a total of 45 minutes (20 minutes initially, then 25 minutes after stirring).
Do I need to stir the mixture while it is in the oven?
Yes, remove the pans after the first 20 minutes to stir the caramel corn to ensure even baking and coating.
What kind of candies are best for this recipe?
Non-chocolate candies such as gumdrops or Skittles are recommended for a colorful and chewy addition.
When should the candies be added?
Add the candies after the caramel corn has cooled for a few minutes but is not yet completely set.
Can I use chocolate candies?
The recipe suggests non-chocolate candies because they are added while the mixture is still warm; chocolate would likely melt.
How should I store Ultimate Caramel Crunch?
Store the clusters in airtight containers or plastic bags to maintain their freshness and crunch.
How do I form the clusters?
Once the mixture has cooled completely, simply break the large sheets of caramel corn into smaller clusters by hand.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 805 kcal.
How much fat is in this snack?
There are 39 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving contains 106.6 grams of carbohydrates.
Does this recipe provide protein?
Yes, there are 9.2 grams of protein per serving.
How much brown sugar is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of packed brown sugar.
What amount of butter is used?
You will need 1 cup of butter, which should be cubed for even melting.
What type of corn syrup is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of dark corn syrup.
How much baking soda is used?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Are the peanuts salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of salted peanuts.
Is the popcorn salted?
No, the recipe specifies plain popped popcorn.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
Is this snack good for parties?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a cozy treat at home.