Caramel Popcorn is a variety of sweet crunchy popcorn with caramel or molasses. It often contains almonds or peanuts. Some commercial forms available are Fiddle Faddle, Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs. The common flavors include chocolate, watermelon, coconut, blue berry, green apple and strawberry. The caramel popcorn recipe is available in candy shops, malls and milk bars. Tom Clark’s Caramel Popcorn and Concentrated Caramel Corn Treat Mix are readily variety found in the market. Hutchinson’s Candy Caramel Corn is unbeatable natural flavored popcorn. This sweet variety of popcorn is a snack which can be made at home. The delicacy is also a unique gift given on special occasions or for holidays. The popcorns are filled in jars, covered bowls or vases and decorated with ribbons. Children love to eat this sweet variety of popcorns. Caramel Popcorn Day is celebrated on April 7th to enjoy the treat of caramel and popcorn.
Origin of Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Popcorns are believed to have originated in America. But the origin of caramel popcorn is associated with a German immigrant Fredrik William Rueckheim with his brother Louis Rueckheim. Finally, in 1890’s they combined popcorns, molasses and peanuts. The initial caramel popcorn recipe had associated stickiness and harness which was later modified with the crispy and dry recipe and was sold with slogan ‘The more you eat, the more you want.’ Commonly it was referred as Cracker Jacks. Initially it was sold in tubs and later in boxes. The popcorn dish was often regarded as a symbol of luxury.
Ingredients and Method of Preparing Caramel Popcorn
The basic caramel popcorn can be made with the popped corn, unsalted nuts, brown sugar, dark corn syrup, butter, vanilla and baking soda. The caramel syrup is made with sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a saucepan. Later vanilla and baking soda is added. This hot syrup is poured on popcorn and nuts and baked for around an hour. Caramel Popcorn can be made within 15 minutes in a microwave. Another favorite variety is the Caramel Popcorn Balls which can be made with the basic recipe shaping it into balls and preserving in a wax paper sandwich bag.
Variations in Caramel Popcorn
Sometimes caramel popcorn can be made with white sugar caramel instead of the traditional brown sugar. The caramel syrup can also be made at home without the basic corn sugar by boiling sugar and water in a saucepan and stirring occasionally. Instead of making the recipe in an oven, it can be made on the stove. The basic caramel popcorn recipe can be baked less to alter the regular crunchy and chewy taste. The macadamia nuts, cashew, resins or cherries can also be used.
Serving Caramel Popcorn
Caramel popcornis a popular snack enjoyed usually in movie theatres or while watching a favorite television show. Sometimes in finely decorated jars it is used for gifting purposes usually by children to their teachers and friends.
Some Health Facts to Caramel Popcorn Recipe
Caramel Popcorn is highly caloric with substantial amount of fat and high in fiber. Though the cholesterol and sodium level is quite low but sugar resource is very high.