Caramel-Nut Popcorn Clusters πΏπ₯
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Servings: 4
Description:
Indulge in the delightful blend of sweet caramel, crunchy popcorn, and roasted peanuts with our Caramel-Nut Popcorn Clusters recipe! Whether you’re craving a tasty snack or preparing for a festive gathering, these clusters are sure to impress with their irresistible flavor and satisfying crunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 package (about 12 ounces) caramels
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- 1 cup peanuts
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 250Β°F (120Β°C). Lightly grease a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan, ensuring even coverage for the popcorn clusters to bake perfectly. |
| 2 | Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a microwave-safe glass bowl, combine the caramels and whipping cream. Heat the mixture on HIGH for approximately 3 minutes, or until the caramels have melted, stirring once during the process to ensure smooth consistency. The creamy caramel sauce will be the delectable binder for our popcorn clusters. |
| 3 | Combine Popcorn and Peanuts: Take a large mixing bowl and add the popped popcorn and peanuts. This dynamic duo provides the perfect blend of textures and flavors, creating a truly irresistible treat. |
| 4 | Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Pour the melted caramel sauce over the popcorn and peanuts, gently tossing them to ensure an even coating. Every kernel and nut should be adorned with the luscious caramel goodness, promising a delightful burst of flavor with every bite. |
| 5 | Form Clusters: Transfer the caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts onto the prepared jelly roll pan, spreading them out evenly to form clusters. This ensures that each cluster receives adequate heat during baking, resulting in a uniform golden brown finish. |
| 6 | Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the popcorn clusters at 250Β°F (120Β°C) for approximately 1 hour. This slow baking process allows the caramel to caramelize and infuse the popcorn and peanuts with its rich, sweet flavor, while also achieving a satisfying crunch. |
| 7 | Cool and Enjoy: Once baked to golden perfection, remove the pan from the oven and allow the caramel-nut popcorn clusters to cool. The tantalizing aroma filling your kitchen will be hard to resist, but allowing them to cool ensures that the clusters set perfectly, ready to be enjoyed by family and friends. |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 832.5
- Fat: 40.1g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3g
- Cholesterol: 17.3mg
- Sodium: 710.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 108.1g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 68.1g
- Protein: 21.3g
Recipe Notes:
- Customization: Feel free to customize your Caramel-Nut Popcorn Clusters by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
- Storage: Store any leftover popcorn clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. However, they are so delicious that they are unlikely to last that long!
- Microwave vs. Oven: While the recipe offers microwave instructions for melting the caramel, baking the clusters in the oven ensures a perfectly crisp texture and even distribution of flavors.
- Share the Joy: These Caramel-Nut Popcorn Clusters are perfect for sharing at potlucks, movie nights, or as a special treat during festive occasions like Halloween. Their addictive flavor and satisfying crunch will have everyone coming back for more!
Indulge in the irresistible combination of sweet caramel, crunchy popcorn, and roasted peanuts with our Caramel-Nut Popcorn Clusters recipe. Whether you’re looking for a delightful snack or a crowd-pleasing treat, these clusters are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more!
