Homemade Cracker Jack
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Growing up, we weren’t routinely allowed to eat junk food, sugary cereals, pop or anything like that. My parents didn’t keep stuff like that in the house and the closest we got to “fun” cereal was Frosted Flakes. But every once awhile we got to enjoy a treat. One of the things I always loved eating was a box of Cracker Jack. I mostly attribute it to my unbridled infatuation with peanuts and peanut butter. Those little caramel-covered peanuts were little bits of heaven. In fact, when I realized that there were no more peanuts left in the box, it was always a slight letdown. Sure, I still enjoyed the caramel popcorn, but the more peanuts the better! Homemade caramel peanut popcorn has been on my list for some time, and I am chastising myself for not making it much, much sooner. This is perfect for packing up and taking with you to the ballpark, stuffing in your purse and sneaking into the movie theater (shh!), eating at home while lounging on the couch, or for packaging up and giving away at the holidays. Bottom line – there is no bad way to enjoy this. And it’s heads and tails better than the boxed original.
This popcorn is actually very simple to make and the only piece of specialty equipment that you need is a candy thermometer. This
Then, sit back and be prepared to be completely and utterly addicted. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Note: You can use microwave popcorn for this (I would go with plain or “homestyle” – you don’t want that fake butter flavor here), but I definitely prefer popping the popcorn fresh. If you’ve never done it before, check out my tutorial on How to Make Perfect Homemade Popcorn (omitting any butter and salt).
Two years ago: Buttermilk-Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
Three years ago: Bostini Cream Pie
Homemade Cracker Jack
Yield: About 10 cups of popcorn
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients:
10 cups of freshly-popped popcorn (or 3.5-oz bag of microwave popcorn, plain)
1 cup light brown sugar
¼ cup light corn syrup
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup lightly salted peanutsDirections:
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.
(Recipe adapted from Ezra Pound Cake)
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ohh i haven’t had cracker jack in ages, but i use to love it as a kid. it’s so addicting!
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Ohh! That looks so yumnmy!
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Ooh, this looks yummy! Not something we get in the UK so I’ve not tried it before.
worth a shot!
I wonder if it would work with mixed nuts instead of the popcorn… I’m thinking almonds, peanuts & pecans
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Hi Becka, Do you mean mixed nuts instead of the peanuts? You would need an awful lot of nuts to make up for all of the popcorn here!
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This looks great!Caramel corn is on my top ten list for sure. Another great corn recipe is at Big Red Kitchen, Captain Jack’s Shark Attack Popcorn. It has red hots in it and you simply can’t stop eating it. This will be an awesome duo!!
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I get so sad when the peanuts are gone too!
This looks so yummy. I’m glad your recipe calls for fresh popcorn – every recipe I’ve seen uses microwave popcorn and I don’t own a microwave! I wasn’t sure if there was a textural difference between the 2 but now I know! woohoo! Definitely making some soon!
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yum! peanuts were always my favorite part of the mix too!
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Oh wow – I didn’t know you could make homemade cracker jacks! My world is now complete.
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too good,.
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What a nostalgic food… great job!
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the best part is totally the peanuts! I love tham! thanks!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com/
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Yum. The peanuts were my favorite parts too.
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This brings back memories. Feel like I want to go to a Saturday Matinee! Thanks for posting.
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this looks yummy! and by the way, i totally sneak treats into the movie theater too, but it’s usually just candy that you could get there anyway to be sneaky about it. my youth group leader in HS takes the cake though… he brings raw cookie dough and a spoon!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Raw cookie dough and a spoon DEFINITELY takes the cake! Haha!
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Candy coated popcorn peanuts and a prize , that’s what you get in Cracker Jacks! O.k am I the one that remember this? Boy did I just age myself! This looks so good… Thanks for sharing !
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Thanks for this! I’m DEFINITELY going to be making it to give away to my husband’s customers for the holidays along with some homemade granola!
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Thank you! The photos are gorgeous and the recipe brings back memories. I wasn’t allowed junk food either but I sometimes got cracker jacks at parties. I love the idea for making it at home. Thank you for suggesting it and giving me a way to do it. My girls’ are having a sleepover this weekend. This will be perfect!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Oh how perfect for a sleepover! I hope the girls enjoy it!
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Great snack for game days:)
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What a cute idea! I’ve thought about making Cracker Jacks but just never got around to it!
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I am now craving this! Definitely needs to show up to a football party
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This is a great recipe, Michelle! I actually bought a big bag of popcorn kernels the other day, thinking I would find some creative popcorn recipe, but until this one, I never did! Thanks so much for sharing this. I’d love to dive into a bowl of this right now!
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My best friend is obsessed with this child hood favorite snack!! I am going to visit her for a bestie weekend next weekend and I think I am going to have to make this and take it with me!! Hope I don’t dig into it while I’m flying!! Thank you for another fabulous recipe!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Aw how sweet of you! I bet your friend will love her surprise
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Beautiful! This would certainly make staying at home and watching a movie feel special.
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I agree with Evan, perfect treat for movie night!
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That sounds delicious! I’m going camping this weekend, and I think I just might make some to take with us! Thanks for sharing!!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
You’re welcome! Have fun camping!
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So much better than the original – thank s for sharing the secret of Cracker Jack – you just need a removable tattoo at the bottom.
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This is perfect for starting off the World Series tonight! I couldn’t agree more about the peanuts being the best part of the mix. Brings back fun memories
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Oh Heather, you’re right, this is definitely a great treat for watching the World Series!
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OH my goodness. This looks so sticky, icky, gooey, ooey. Love it!
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I’m totally making this next time I go to a movie!
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Looks delicious! I bet it would taste just as great without the peanuts, too!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Tracy, it definitely does!
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This looks so much better then the boxed stuff!
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My boyfriend’s favorite things are pretzels and popcorn. Zero substance but great snackability. This is something he’d love.
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Your boyfriend would definitely love this!
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Great. I now have one more thing to add to my weekend “To do” list. Thanks a lot.
I better save it for last, cause I have a feeling not a lot of work will be getting done after this is made.
♥ Rebecca Jean
Midnight Maniac
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Haha! Sorry?
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I’m headed to a Halloween Party this weekend and this will be the perfect treat to bring! Nicely done!
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I made 2 batches of this last night and took it to my bible study today. The ladies loved it. Thanks for sharing – it was delicious!
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Michelle on October 28th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Woo!! So glad you and the ladies enjoyed it!!
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This looks dangerous… I love popcorn, and I can never keep myself from snacking on it constantly. None the less, I will probably make this over the weekend (and devour the whole batch in the process!). Yum!
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The peanuts are the best part of the Cracker Jacks! I used to love them when I was little but recently I had a box and it was a real let down. (And the prize was really lame as well.) This home made version sounds wonderful.
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This would be great addition to my Christmas baskets that I make for people. Saving this recipe. Thank you brown eyed baker.
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Michelle on November 1st, 2010 at 10:24 pm
You’re welcome! Love the idea of putting it in holiday baskets!
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I swear that we lived in the same household growing up. I would have loved these as a treat as a kid and I’m sure my kids would be thrilled if I made these for them.
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Just made a double batch of this and am very happy with the results. Thank you for sharing this recipe! I was a little scared to attempt it but it was super easy and less messy than I had anticipated. I would definitely advise having all your prep work done and ingredients out and ready to go because once your carmel is ready to go time is of the essence. Definitely worth trying!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Thanks so much for the review, I’m glad you liked this and didn’t find it too daunting!
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I found your blog today when looking for a caramel popcorn recipes to use as holiday gifts. I tried it, and the caramel was wonderful coming off the stove top, but when I took the popcorn out of the oven, the caramel was a bit overcooked. But, that was a quirk of my oven rather than the recipe! Next time I will lower the oven temp to 200 and stir every 15 minutes.
I will be back!
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Michelle on November 8th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
So glad you’ve found your way here Jessica! Glad you loved the popcorn even though it got a little overdone!
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Your recipe looks scrumptious. Sadly all did not go well when I attempted to replicate it. I’ve made caramels without a problem in the past (so I think that part went okay), but the oven cooking time seemed way off. After baking on 250 for 35 min. (stirring twice) the popcorn was totally burnt. So sad. Will definitely give it another try though and mess around with the baking time/temperature variations on the next batch. Thanks for sharing with us!
-Ez
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Vince on April 12th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
I just tried this recipe and had the same problem! only 35 mins, stirred twice and it was getting way too dark so I took it out but the caramel allready turned bitter and had to throw the whole batch away, got me kinda pissed off but luckily the aren’t that expensive so next time I will just bake it for 20 mins and take it out.
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Question:
I want to try this recipe, can someone tell me how many cups of kernels to pop to make the 10 cups popcorn? I’m feeling stupid…..please help. I already am a homemade popcorn maker and have abandoned my microwave popcorn…..forever! I’m ready to step it up & make cracker jacks!
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Michelle on February 15th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Hi Sarah, I just follow the directions on the jar of Orville Redenbacher kernels and make that, then measure out 10 cups. There is a little leftover.
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I just found this website today while looking for some delicious recipes and I’ve got to say, though this is a little off-topic, never before have I seen a website that as positive as this. Also, this recipe sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it out tonight. ^-^
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I’ve been back to this recipe SO many times. I’ve made it twice with great success. I love it and it’s always a crowd favorite.
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Why is there no way to print only the recipe and directions without all the comments, etc??
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Michelle on August 9th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Bev, There is. All you need to do is click the “Print” button (it’s under the recipe, next to the “Email” button) – only the recipe will show up.
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We made this…amazing. Thank you so much!
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I will definitely be making this…without the peanuts though!! Have always tried to find cracker jacks without the peanuts, and never could.
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Just made this and it turned out great! With my oven only 20 min was enough and it came out perfect. I’m giving a tub of this away as a Christmas gift. I might even include a prize like the original Cracker Jacks did just for fun.
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hi. i made this for me and my sister. something to munch on while watching NCIS. the caramel was thick. how did you coat your popcorns so evenly? want to know what i did wrong before i attempt to do it again. reaaally soon.
but it was delicious!! yummm! only thing left are the popcorn with big globs of caramel.
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Michelle on January 24th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Hi Abi, It sounds like your caramel may have cooked for just a minute or two too long and started to harden up on you. The key to making this is to work quickly and not over-cook the caramel. I’m glad you liked it anyway!
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abi on January 29th, 2013 at 12:01 am
thanks for the tips michelle.
i’ll keep them in mind. 
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