I’m always blown away by the prices people are willing to pay for flavored popcorn. Seriously, popcorn is so easy to make, and it’s super cheap to boot! So when I found out that a friend was a big fan of Cracker Jack, I set out to make some comparable caramel peanut popcorn.
Honestly, I probably haven’t eaten Cracker Jack since I was 10, and — since we’re being honest here — I always kind of thought the best part was the tactility of the old-style packaging and the prize. Oh, and the peanuts, of which there were never enough. Yeah, okay, the prize always sucked, but it’s the anticipation that counts, right? In any case, I cobbled together this recipe from a few different “copycat” recipes on the ‘Net, and after experimenting with a few different sugar ratios, and I really do think this version really tastes like the original.
This is total novelty food. You can double the recipe to use it as a fun party snack, or wrap it up in cellophane bags and ribbon to make cheap and super cute gifts! Just don’t forget to hide something awesome inside.
- 8-10 c freshly popped popcorn
- ¾ c roasted, salted peanuts
- 2 Tbsp vegan butter
- ½ c sugar
- 2 Tbsp brown rice syrup
- 2 Tbsp agave nectar
- 1½ Tbsp molasses
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Line a metal baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine peanuts and popcorn in a large bowl.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, mix together butter, sugar, brown rice syrup, agave nectar, molasses, and salt.
- Cook caramel until it reaches hard ball stage (260°F).
- Remove from heat and beat in baking soda.
- Working quickly, pour caramel over popcorn, and toss until popcorn is evenly coated.
- Spread popcorn on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure nothing burns.
- Cool fully before serving.
- Store in an airtight container.
If you're new to popping your own popcorn kernels, check out my kettle corn recipe for tips: http://hellyeahitsvegan.com/cinnamon-kettle-corn
16 comments
Dawn says:
Sep 18, 2013
Oh, I love the idea of putting it in bags with a prize in it! And I do miss cracker jack. All my attempts at caramel corn have been too sweet and chewy. Pinning for later
Johanna GGG says:
Sep 18, 2013
Never had cracker jack popcorn but yours looks fantastic and I love the idea of this for presents – as my little girl is allergic to peanuts I guess I could just include some salt and leave out the peanuts (sigh – so sad!)
claryn says:
Sep 19, 2013
If she isn’t allergic to sunflower seeds, I’d suggest throwing some salted, shelled ones in there!
kittee says:
Sep 18, 2013
yuuuuuuum! did any of your experiments include coconut oil?
xo
kittee
claryn says:
Sep 19, 2013
None of them did! But I can say with 200% certainty that coconut oil would definitely work. I would add an extra pinch of salt, though!
Shannon says:
Sep 18, 2013
Ooh. I love Cracker Jacks. This would be so good for my partner’s next birthday. He is obsessed with baseball, and I feel like these are the quintessential baseball snack!
Kylie @ FotV says:
Sep 19, 2013
I loved Crackers Jacks as a kid! I want to make a big batch of this for a party!
Kevin says:
Sep 19, 2013
Last time I tried to make candy I used brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup and had an overflow of vegan candy foam. It was like that scene with the train in Willy Wonka. Will brown rice syrup be ok in this? And also, do you know what my problem was?? Thanks in advance 🙂
tijya says:
Sep 19, 2013
That is drool-worthy!
Randi (laughfrodisiac) says:
Sep 20, 2013
Holy crap yes!!!!
Mihl says:
Sep 24, 2013
I am on my way into the kitchen to make this!
Andrea says:
Sep 30, 2013
Wow this was great! And yea, it tasted just like I remember. It was awesome even though my husband accidentally dumped the baking powder in while the sugars were cooking!
luminousvegans says:
Sep 30, 2013
Holy crap, this looks amazing. I need to pick up some molasses so I can make this. This is like the perfect fall Halloween food. Amazing!
Kristen Kelley says:
Oct 9, 2013
YUM! Last year for Halloween I made a vegan caramel corn that I dyed green and called “Zombie Boogers.” Some pretty gross pictures of “boogers” in paper bags ensued; then I posted them on my blog LOL. I’d definitely
Veronica says:
Nov 18, 2013
Cracker Jack! Wow I haven’t seen that in years. This will be awesome to make for the kids – they insist on popcorn every single time they watch a movie and it’s getting old lol
Lynn says:
Dec 11, 2016
YUm!!
So easy to make, so delicious. Great for all, if there is any left!
Thanks for the recipe