Honey Cracker Jack
Indulge in the irresistible nostalgia of homemade Honey Cracker Jack with this delightfully sweet and crunchy recipe that's perfect for parties, movie nights, or snack cravings. A gourmet twist on the classic treat, this recipe combines freshly popped popcorn with honey-roasted peanuts and a luscious caramel glaze made from butter, honey, brown sugar, and light corn syrup. Enhanced with a hint of vanilla and a touch of baking soda for that signature airy crunch, this easy-to-make snack is baked to perfection for a golden, evenly coated finish. Ready in just over an hour and yielding eight generous servings, Honey Cracker Jack is the ultimate combination of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors—all crafted in the comfort of your own kitchen. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing treat or an edible gift, this caramel popcorn recipe is a must-try that brings the timeless charm of ballpark snacks to your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 1 quarter cup Light corn syrup
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups Honey-roasted peanuts
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover the pot with a lid, and let the kernels pop, shaking the pot occasionally to ensure even popping. Once the popping slows, remove from heat and transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the honey, brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens.
Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will foam slightly. Stir until well combined.
Sprinkle the honey-roasted peanuts over the popcorn in the mixing bowl. Slowly pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and peanuts, stirring gently with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Divide the coated popcorn and peanut mixture between the prepared baking sheets, spreading it out in an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even coating.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the Honey Cracker Jack cool completely. The caramel will harden as it cools.
Once cooled, break the mixture into pieces and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3599 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 225.6 g | 289% | |
| Saturated Fat | 75.6 g | 378% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 37.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 2649 mg | 115% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 378.6 g | 138% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.5 g | 109% | |
| Total Sugars | 273.3 g | ||
| Protein | 58.4 g | 117% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 266 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1768 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
