Homemade Cracker Jack
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 is the one I own, and it’s definitely worth its weight in gold. Just think – if you get it, then you can also make the Ale and Pretzel Soft Caramels! To make the caramel, all you do is whisk together the ingredients, let it simmer away and wait for it to hit 250 degrees. Pour over the popcorn, mix in the peanuts, and then pop it all into the oven.
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
Ingredients:
10 cups of freshly-popped popcorn (or 3.5-oz bag of microwave popcorn, plain)
1 cup light brown sugar
ยผ cup light corn syrup
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
ยผ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup lightly salted peanuts
Directions:
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.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
(Recipe adapted from Ezra Pound Cake)
All images and text ยฉ
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!
I am now craving this! Definitely needs to show up to a football party :)
What a cute idea! I’ve thought about making Cracker Jacks but just never got around to it!
Great snack for game days:)
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!
Oh how perfect for a sleepover! I hope the girls enjoy it!
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!
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 !
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!
Raw cookie dough and a spoon DEFINITELY takes the cake! Haha!
This brings back memories. Feel like I want to go to a Saturday Matinee! Thanks for posting.
Yum. The peanuts were my favorite parts too. ;)
the best part is totally the peanuts! I love tham! thanks!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com/
What a nostalgic food… great job!
too good,.
Oh wow – I didn’t know you could make homemade cracker jacks! My world is now complete.
:)
yum! peanuts were always my favorite part of the mix too!
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!
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!!
Ooh, this looks yummy! Not something we get in the UK so I’ve not tried it before.
I wonder if it would work with mixed nuts instead of the popcorn… I’m thinking almonds, peanuts & pecans :) worth a shot!
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!
Ohh! That looks so yumnmy!
ohh i haven’t had cracker jack in ages, but i use to love it as a kid. it’s so addicting!