5 from 18 votes
Homemade Cracker Jack
Homemade Cracker Jack combines freshly-popped popcorn with a homemade caramel coating made from brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and vanilla. The caramel is heated to a specific temperature before being mixed with popcorn and salted peanuts, then baked for an hour to achieve a crunchy, sweet snack with a toffee-like flavor and texture. This treat replicates the classic Cracker Jack experience with control over ingredients and freshness.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
10
cups of popcorn
Calories:
297 kcal
Course:
Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 10 cups Popcorn or 3.5-oz bag of microwave popcorn, plain, freshly-popped
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 6 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup peanuts lightly salted
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- 2. Pop the popcorn. Coat a large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray, and then transfer the popcorn to the bowl; set aside.
- 3. In a small saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt and water, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 250 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- 4. Turn off the heat, and whisk in the vanilla and baking soda. Immediately pour the hot mixture over the popcorn. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the caramel into the popcorn until all of the popcorn is coated. Gently stir in the peanuts, and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out.
- 5. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Gently break up the popcorn. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
18mg
(6%)
Sodium
189mg
(8%)
Potassium
178mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
28g
(56%)
Vitamin A
230IU
(5%)
Calcium
36mg
(4%)
Iron
0.8mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 cups of popcorn
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 189mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 178mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 28g | 56% |
| Vitamin A | 230IU | 5% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.