Jenny Can Cook Caramel Popcorn Food

CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Generously butter heavy large baking pan. Mix warm popcorn and peanuts in prepared pan. Place in oven while preparing syrup.
• Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Whisk over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Attach clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until thermometer registers 255 degrees F, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract, salt and baking soda (mixture will bubble). Gradually pour syrup over popcorn and nuts completely.
• Bake until caramel feels dry, stirring frequently, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Using metal spatula, scrape mixture from bottom of pan to loosen. Cool completely in pan. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)

CHEESE AND CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• For the cheese popcorn: Toss the popcorn with the melted butter in a large bowl until evenly coated.
• In a separate bowl, combine the Cheddar powder, mustard powder and white pepper. Fold the mixture into the popcorn in two additions and toss until evenly coated.
• For the caramel popcorn: Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or aluminum foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Evenly spread the popcorn out on the baking sheet. Combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepot fitted with a candy thermometer (see Cook's Note). Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently with a heatproof rubber spatula; be careful: the caramel will bubble up a few inches as it cooks. Cook until the caramel reaches 248 to 250 degrees F (firm ball stage). Immediately turn off the heat and carefully stir in the salt and baking soda; the caramel will bubble up again when you add the baking soda.
• Spray a second heatproof rubber spatula with cooking spray. Immediately, and very carefully, pour the caramel evenly over the popcorn. With the greased spatula, carefully fold the caramel into the popcorn to coat; not every kernel will be completely coated, but the caramel will be evenly distributed. Break up any large chunks with the spatula. Set aside to cool completely, at least 15 minutes.
• To serve: Combine the two popcorns together, breaking up any remaining large chunks of the caramel popcorn if necessary. Serve immediately.