Fall Spiced Caramel Popcorn

A sweet and spiced treat for spooky October nights

​Prep & Baking Time: 45
Makes: 10-12 cups

Main Ingredients:
10-12 cups popped popcorn, lightly salted
1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
½ cup plant-based butter
¼ cup agave nectar or corn syrup
½ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp vanilla
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
Pinch of ground nutmeg and ground clove
*use as much or as little of these spices as you like, develop your own combination that suites your taste!
* alternatively use 1 – 1 ½ tsp of pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice

Method:
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a 4 cup or larger microwave safe glass container, preferably with a handle, combine sugar, syrup, and butter. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, remove and stir to blend the melted butter with the sugar-spice mixture.
Return the mixture to the microwave and heat the mixture for an additional 2 minutes; be sure to watch the mixture to avoid any boil over.
Remove, and again, stir to make sure all the sugar is heating evenly and that there are no lumps.
Return the mixture to the microwave for one last heating of 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Be sure to have your baking soda and vanilla ready to add as soon as the bubbling mixture is removed from the microwave.

*The sugar mixture will be very hot, this is not something to do while distracted and should not be attempted by children.

Add the vanilla and the baking soda and stir vigorously to combine. The mixture will lighten in colour and become frothy. Be sure that all of the baking soda is mixed through and pour the hot golden mix over the waiting popcorn.

Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, fold the spiced sugar syrup into the popcorn. You want to be gentle so that you don’t crush the popcorn, but be sure to work quickly while the mixture is still warm.

Spread the coated popcorn out onto the two lined baking sheets as evenly as possible. Bake for 30 minutes total removing the sheets to stir the popcorn every 10 minutes.

Allow the caramel corn to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving or storing in air tight containers for up to one month. This popcorn is so tasty and likely won’t last long, but if you are able to tuck some away be sure that the container has a tight seal. Even then you may need to give it a shake after storage to help break up any stuck pieces.