What do New Years' Eve, the Fourth of July Fireworks and Back to School all have in common? Snack foods, of course. Whatever the season, homemade caramel corn is a among the favorite snack items. But who wants to deal with the time it takes to make this snack or the hulls that come along with the corn?
This recipe uses the corn pops which are found in the chip aisle of most grocery stores rather than popcorn. The pops taste like popcorn but without the hulls. They are yellow in color and look like little balls. Besides the hulls there is no worry that some of the kernels didn't pop, requiring the preparer to remove the unpopped kernels.
Time is another constraint to most people making caramel corn. This recipe is made in the microwave for added speed. The snack can be ready in as little as 30 minutes rather than 2 hours. It is simple enough to make that older kids can make it alone. Younger kids love shaking the bag between cookings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 package of corn pops
Directions
- Cook the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt over medium heat until boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. The mixture will look foamy.
- Spray the inside of a large brown grocery sack with cooking spray.
- Pour half the corn pops into the bag.
- Pour half the caramel mixture on top of the pops.
- Add the rest of the pops and the rest of the caramel.
- Roll down the top of the bag to seal.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Cook in microwave for 1 minute on high.
- Shake vigorously.
- Cook in microwave for another minute on high.
- Shake vigorously.
- Cook in microwave for 30 seconds on high.
- Shake vigorously.
- Cook in microwave for a final 30 seconds on high.
- Pour onto a cookie sheet to cool.
- When cool, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
This recipe is easy enough to prepare that children can help make this tasty snack. They especially like shaking the bag in between cookings. If a child helps, the parent should prepare the caramel as it gets very hot and can burn easily.
Puff Stuff is the perfect snack for afterschool, the Fourth of July Fireworks, or any time you want something sweet and yummy. It is an easy and quick snack to prepare, so keep the ingredients on hand for when a snack attack hits.
