Home made Cracker Jacks

Home made Cracker Jacks :)


Ingredients:
4 quarts popped popcorn, freshly popped on the stove tastes best but you can use air popped too
4 cups peanuts, I use dry-roasted
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup Karo Syrup, light or dark
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla


Directions:
1) Pre-heat the oven to 250 degrees
2) Spray a large roasting pan (9x13) with cooking spray. Add popcorn and peanuts and place in preheated 250°F oven while preparing caramel.
3) Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring to a boil over medium heat.
4) Boil 5 minutes WITHOUT STIRRING. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla.
5) Pour syrup mixture over warm popcorn, stirring to coat evenly.
6) Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Remove from oven and spread on waxed paper to cool.
7) Break into bite sized pieces and store in tightly covered container.


Source(s): Deborah Holton Harvey