Description
Creamy caramel praline popcorn delights palates with Southern charm, blending sweet and salty notes. Crisp kernels coated in rich buttery glaze offer irresistible crunch you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 8 cups unsalted (unflavored) popcorn, popped
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F, creating an ideal environment for transforming popcorn and pecans into a delectable treat.
- Combine popcorn and pecan halves in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
- In a sizable saucepan over medium-high heat, merge brown sugar, corn syrup, and unsalted butter, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and swiftly integrate vanilla extract and baking soda, whisking until the caramel develops a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Drizzle the molten caramel over the popcorn and pecan mixture, gently folding to achieve comprehensive coating.
- Spread the caramel-coated mixture evenly across a large rimmed baking sheet, creating a single layer for consistent heat exposure.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, rotating and stirring the mixture every 10 minutes to prevent uneven caramelization and ensure golden-brown perfection.
- Once baked, immediately transfer the praline popcorn to foil or parchment paper, allowing it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Gently break the cooled clusters into bite-sized pieces, preparing them for serving and enjoying.
Notes
- Prevent burning by constantly stirring the caramel mixture, ensuring a smooth and even texture without scorching.
- Experiment with different nuts like almonds or walnuts to create unique flavor variations and add personal flair to the classic praline popcorn.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that all ingredients, especially corn syrup and vanilla extract, are certified gluten-free before preparation.
- Store cooled praline popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain its crispy, sweet crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 14 mg