Cranberry Caramel Popcorn has a lovely light sweetness and a little bit of cranberry tartness for just the right balance. 14 cups for you and your friends!
I made some Cranberry Caramel Popcorn and I am feeling proud.
This is not the thick covering like you get in those tins. It has that great sweet/tart combo in a large quantity with little effort.
Besides peanuts getting thrown into the mix you also have dried cranberry that completes the goodness in this recipe. If you can bear to part with any of the popcorn it would also make a wonderful homemade gift.
So whether you keep it all or part with a bit for your friends – enjoy!
Cranberry Caramel Popcorn
Cranberry Caramel Popcorn has a lovely light sweetness and a little bit of cranberry tartness for just the right balance.
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- 1/2 cup organic granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1 cup peanuts, NOT chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries, NOT chopped
Instructions
- After you pop your popcorn - go through it and make sure there are no unpopped kernals and throw them away.
- Place the popped popcorn on a huge oven safe pan or dish (I used 2 baking sheets) and keep warm in the oven at 250°.
- In a medium saucepan - heat the butter and maple syrup to boiling over medium high heat. Stir while this is coming to a boil.
- Carefully clip on a candy thermometer.
- Continue to cook over medium high heat to the hard ball stage of 255°.
- This will take 10 minutes or so. Stir occasionally but be very very careful.
- Remove from heat and remove thermometer (again, carefully).
- Take the popcorn out of the oven and immediately pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir gently.
- Put into the oven and bake at 300° for 10 minutes.
- Stir and bake 5 more minutes.
- Stir in the dried cranberries and peanuts.
- Turn out onto a cool baking sheet and let cool completely.
- Break apart and store in an airtight container . The popcorn keeps a very long time so I can't see the need to freeze. It will be eaten fast!
Recipe Notes
Luci's Morsels says
What a great, seasonal twist on a fan favorite snack! I have to try this. Yummy!
Sandra Shaffer says
For years my kids gave my dad a tin of popcorn for his birthday that’s in December. I’m going to encourage them to making it homemade this year. He would love cranberry caramel popcorn!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I always add peanuts to my popcorn – I love the crunch. This looks incredible! Pinning to try soon!
Cleo @ Journey to the Garden says
What a great use for cranberries! And vegan popcorn …… awesome! I can’t wait to try this one, a perfect snack for the holidays!
Sarah says
Brown sugar and cranberries?? Sounds like THE most delicious treat!!
Ginny McMeans says
Hi Christine! I have been wanting to change this recipe and you reminded me. Thanks! I made the recipe again with maple syrup and it worked great. I am positive you could use agave syrup too. Have fun.
Christine McMahan says
This sounds really good. Do you think you could use Agave or something in place of the homey?
Love your recipes!!
Thanks
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Amy! Glad you like it.
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
This recipe sounds so amazing! I love sweet and salty.