Maple Nut Caramel Corn is the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and nutty goodness, ideal for cozy evenings or festive gatherings. This easy homemade treat combines the rich flavors of maple syrup with crunchy nuts and caramel-coated popcorn, making it an irresistible snack.
Popcorn serves as the base, providing a light and airy crunch. Start with plain, unsalted popped popcorn.
Mixed nuts add a variety of textures and flavors. Use roasted almonds, pecans, and cashews for a nutty surprise in every bite.
Brown sugar is the sweet foundation of the caramel, offering a deep, molasses-like flavor.
Butter adds a rich, creamy texture to the caramel, balancing the sweetness.
Maple syrup infuses a distinctive, warm flavor that elevates the caramel to new heights.
Corn syrup helps prevent crystallization, keeping the caramel silky smooth.
Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile with its sweet, floral notes.
Baking soda reacts with the caramel to create a light, airy texture, making it easier to coat the popcorn evenly.
Salt intensifies the sweetness and balances the flavors, ensuring every bite is delightful.
This Maple Nut Caramel Corn pairs wonderfully with a glass of crisp apple cider or a warm mug of cinnamon tea. It's also a delightful addition to a snack platter for movie nights or cozy gatherings by the fireplace.
First, preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will make cleanup easy and prevent the caramel corn from sticking. While the oven warms up, place your popped popcorn and mixed nuts into a large mixing bowl. Set this aside for now; you'll need it ready for the caramel.
Next, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, maple syrup, and corn syrup. Stir these ingredients constantly until they start to boil. Once boiling, stop stirring and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes until it reaches a deep amber color. This is when the magic happens, and the flavors meld beautifully.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Be prepared for the mixture to bubble up and become frothy — that's exactly what you want. Now, pour this bubbling caramel goodness over the popcorn and nuts in the mixing bowl. Stir well to ensure everything is coated evenly.
Spread the caramel-coated popcorn mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, making sure it's in a single layer. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. This helps the caramel bake evenly and keeps the popcorn from clumping together.
Finally, take it out of the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into pieces. It's now ready to serve or store for later enjoyment.
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