Caramel Corn With Peanutscandies 2 quart freshly popped corn (8 c.) 1/2 cup raw, shelled peanuts 1/4 cup packed light brn. sugar 3 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup light molasses 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavor 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1) Preheat oven to 250 F. 2) Spread popcorn in lge, well-buttered roasting pan. Sprinkle peanuts on top and set pan aside. 3) In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, molasses, and salt. Stir over med. heat until the mixture boils. Continue boiling gently, without stirring, until a candy-jelly thermometer in syrup reads 250 F. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. 4) Pour the syrup over the popcorn and peanuts and rapidly mix with a spatula to coat the pcs. evenly. 5) Bake caramel corn in preheated oven for 1 hr, stirring occasionally, then cool the candy in the pan. 6) Slip the cooled candy out of the pan with spatula and break into fairly large chunks. Store airtight up to 1 wk. Yield: 6 to 7 cups |
