Monday, December 7, 2009

Amish Caramel Corn



I love giving homemade food gifts to family and friends for the holidays. This week I've been testing different recipes to see which ones I think will be perfect for the Christmas goody baskets that I make up.

I found a great recipe for Amish Caramel Corn. It was easy to make and Greg gave it thumbs up! This would be perfect to put in a cute holiday tin. Are you making any special gifts for the holidays?


Here's the recipe: "My Amish Friend's Caramel Corn"

Ingredients

  • 7 quarts plain popped popcorn
  • 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
  3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.
  4. Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.





30 comments:

Wall-to-wall books said...

Oh YUM!!!!!
I love caramel corn. I also love popcorn balls.

Cedar ... said...

This looks like a "keeper" recipe. Thanks Shelley!

George said...

This sounds delicious! I read this post while eating lunch and now I'm craving dessert !!!

Dawn Marie said...

I make homemade gifts for baldymans side of the family and my aunt also. this year I'm giving my soy candles as gifts.

I will use this recipe, we love popcorn. I ordered Amish Popcorn as a gift for my son. We got him one of those Stand Up Retro Popcorn Makers as a gift for his TV room.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Awe Shelley---what a nice gift. I can almost smell it. Now---if you will just send me a little taste... Yum!!!!!

There used to be a place where we could buy caramel corn (called Karmel Korn)--and I'm not sure where you can get this anymore. There used to be a place in Gatlinburg, TN --but I'm not sure it is still there. That caramel corn was SO good...

Great recipe... Thanks.
Hugs,
Betsy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I just participated in a cookie exchange with some friends...

Your caramel corn looks and sounds yummy!

Wildflowerhouse said...

One word Shelley. YUM! Thanks Sharon

Karen said...

Oh YUM!!!! I'm going to try this for sure!!!
How is Miss Scout!!!! You know, I'm seeing more and more Bernese Mt Dogs now. I've probably been seeing them all along and never knew what they were! YAY!
HUGS! Snow yet?

A New England Girl said...

Yum! I can't wait to try this. :)

Simple Home said...

This sounds delicious. I'm going to copy this recipe. We love caramel corn. It looks so good too, I think I'm going to go eat something! I can't wait to see photos from your cabin. I'm sure you must be getting snow there now.
Blessings,
Marcia

Gone said...

I've had that recipe for YEARS and when I've felt like Caramel Corn, I use only that! It's de-LISH!! I got it from my dad's wife...back in 1981.

Maybe I'll have to make again.....

Enjoy...
Jan

Busy Bee Suz said...

This sounds delish!!!
My girls are making gifts for family members this year...I just buy the supplies!

Anonymous said...

Nalley wants to know if you need other taste testers???? ha


Thanks for the yummy recipe. I usually make banana bread & pumpkin bread to have on hand for visitors.

grammy said...

I love reading everyones yummy Cmas recipes... but I don't want to bake it...I guess I will just enjoy it virtually in cyber space.

Anonymous said...

This looks so good. I also like to give a home made gift or two. If I do it's usually sweet bread or cookies but this is a great idea!

Sandi Keene said...

Sounds so good. Love caramel corn!

Rural Rambler said...

My Country Husband says he is going to make this! He will too, he makes a mean batch of peanut brittle! Thanks Shelley. Our special food gift that we make is his peanut brittle and my pumpkin loaf :)

Debbie said...

That looks yummy! I always like to do little boxes of treats for the kids now that their older. I am definitely going to try this.

Thanks Shelley,
Debbie

April said...

YUMMY...that would be perfect for movie night!

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Oh YUM! I think even I can do this! lol!
Thanks for sharing!!

joated said...

Got any left?

Looks delicious.

deb said...

shelley.....yumm-o! can you make this with microwave popcorn? probably not......but what do you think?

we are giving out date nut bread with our canned cranberry chutney.ummmm....now we may have to add a tin of your caramel corn to the gift baskets.

dj

Unknown said...

I've made this recipe before. It is delicious. I might just have to make some again soon!
Judy

Constance said...

Sorry I missed wishing you a Happy Birthday! So, Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my Annual Christmas Bake a Thon where my youngest daughter and I bake ourselves silly! I worked for 11+ hours and that doesn't count all the prep work I did over the weekend. Every year I hand out trays of Christmas goodies to my customers, friends, neighbors and I send in a big tray for Dave's dept with the BNSF RR.

Here's a lsit of what we made yesterday:
FUDGE
TURTLES
MMOCHA TRUFFLES
RUM BALLS
OREO TRUFFLES
HOLIDAY TRUFFLES
DIPPED MINI PB RITZ CRACKERS
DIPPED GINGERSNAPS
LEMON COOKIES
SPICE COOKIES
GERM CHOC COOKIES
BUTTER PECAN COOKIES

The only thing I didn't make was "PUPPY CHOW" and I will make that today. It's a hit with kids!

Connie

Just a little something from Judy said...

Sounds like a great recipe! Can't wait to try it. The container is perfect, and completes the gift so creatively. Thanks Shelley.

mj said...

There is nothing better than homemade caramel corn. I posted this recipe too, awhile ago. You can keep the store bought stuff. I love the chewy(ness)of the caramel coating. It goes so well with the crunchy popcorn.

Ashley Amanda said...

Wow that sounds really good! I might use that next year!

Patsy said...

I am making this.
Patsy

The Retired One said...

Shelley, this sounds SOOOOO good...I don't like peanuts, so I have a hard time finding caramel corn that doesn't have it..this way, I can make my own and leave out the nuts.
It is one of my favorite things to eat so I will print this out and try it.
BTW, do you buy microwave popcorn (plain) and use that or do you pop it the old fashioned way?

MyrtleHernandez said...

Wow I love pop corn with caramel...I will try that in my home...
Seattle Real Estate
Alaska Salmon Fishing
Log Cabin Home Plans