Caramel Peanut Popcorn

This delicious candied popcorn includes salted peanuts and Reese’s Pieces, which is awesome on its own, but it’s the sugary molasses coating that really makes it. It tastes a little like Cracker Jack, but with peanut butter candies and slightly fewer peanuts.

The original recipe called for dark corn syrup, which I didn’t have, so I used a mixture of light corn syrup and molasses. Admittedly that’s a different taste than dark corn syrup, but I liked it better and the consistency worked just fine. Use dark corn syrup if you prefer!

With more than 15 cups of popcorn, this recipe yields enough to fill a really big bowl, perfect to set out at a party. Or, like I did in the picture, you could serve it in individual cups or bowls so everyone has their own big portion.

15 cups plain popped popcorn
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts
10 oz. package Reese’s Pieces

Heat oven to 325F/160C degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray, then spread popcorn on top in an even layer. Set aside.

In a small pot over medium-low heat, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, molasses, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Pour over popcorn and toss gently so every kernel is coated.

Bake 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add peanuts and bake 5 minutes more. Spread onto greased parchment paper and let cool, about 20 minutes. Break the pieces into a large bowl and add the candy.

(recipe adapted from Southern Living magazine, October 2015)

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