Chunky Caramel Popcorn Clusters Recipes

CARAMEL APPLE POPCORN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn kernels; cover and cook, shaking the pan, until the popping subsides. Remove from the heat and let any remaining kernels pop for 30 more seconds. Divide the popcorn between the prepared baking sheets, discarding any unpopped kernels. Scatter the apple chips and almonds on top.
• Make the caramel: Bring the apple juice, brown sugar and corn syrup to a boil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook without stirring until the mixture is deep amber and a candy thermometer registers 280 degrees F, about 30 minutes (the caramel will bubble vigorously toward the end of the cooking time).
• Stir the butter into the caramel until melted. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the apple pie spice. Add the applejack and cayenne, if using, and cook until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn mixture and carefully toss with two rubber spatulas. Let cool slightly, then separate the mixture into clusters while still warm. Let cool completely.

CHUNKY CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Place popcorn, cashews and pecans in a large roasting pan. Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup n a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda (mixture will be foamy).
• Pour butter mixture over popcorn mixture in pan; stir well. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven; place onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. Do not break into pieces.
• Melt the chocolate chips and 1 tsp of shortening in a small bowl in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds or in a small saucepan over low heat until melted.
• Separately, melt white baking chips with 1/2 tsp of shortening in a small bowl in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds or in a small saucepan over low heat until melted.
• With a fork or spoon, drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let stand until chocolate in set (3 to 4 hours). Break popcorn mixture into pieces. Store in a container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag.

CARAMEL CORN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Heat oil with 3 kernels in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, covered, over moderate heat until 1 or 2 kernels pop. Remove lid and quickly add remaining kernels, then cook, covered, shaking pan frequently, until kernels stop popping, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and uncover.
• Line bottom of a large shallow baking pan with foil. Lightly oil foil. Melt butter in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring, then boil, without stirring, until syrup registers 300°F on thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• Using a wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula, stir salt and baking soda into syrup, then quickly stir in peanuts and popcorn to coat. Immediately spread mixture in baking pan as thinly and evenly as possible. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.