Molasses Caramel Corn

I’ve been making this recipe here at Chiot’s Run years, tweaking it here and there. I’m not sure where it came from originally, but it’s always a hit. Around the holidays I make up 5 or 6 batches to distribute to all the friendly folks that make our lives easier throughout the year; bank tellers, librarians, Post Office workers, UPS man, etc. Every year they’re super excited when Mr Chiots shows up with his basket. In fact, when we told them we were moving, every single one of them said, “Oh, we’re really going to miss your caramel corn at Christmas”. Perhaps some packages will be order.

MOLASSES CARAMEL CORN
1 cup packed organic dark brown sugar (make your own, here’s how)
1/2 cup organic corn syrup
1/3 cup organic pastured butter
1 tablespoon organic blackstrap molasses
1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 cups organic popcorn (preferably heirloom popcorn popped on the stove with ghee or coconut oil, but air popped will work)

Preheat oven to 250°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, not necessary but it sure makes cleanup easier.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, and molasses in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring once. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Place popcorn in a large bowl; pour sugar mixture over popcorn in a steady stream, stirring to coat.

Spread popcorn mixture into prepared pan. Bake at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven; stir to break up any large clumps. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Note: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

*for additional flavors substitute rum flavoring, almond extract, or other extract in place of vanilla. Add nuts & other additions at 30 min of baking. Drizzle with chocolate after completely cooled.

I’ve often thought about swapping out the corn syrup in this recipe with maple syrup or honey, but I think the end result would suffer. From what I’ve read, the corn syrup keeps the caramel from crystallizing.

Molasses – love it or leave it?