Cracky Snack Recipe

Ingredients:

• 15 cups plain popped popcorn (from about 1/2 cup kernels), unpopped kernels removed
  
• 3/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
  
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
  
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 6 pieces, plus more for coating the pan
  
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
  
• 2 tablespoons dark molasses, such as Grandma’s Robust
  
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
  
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  

Instructions:

1Heat the oven to 250°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a large roasting pan with butter. Place the popcorn and peanuts in the pan and stir to combine; set aside.

2Place the brown sugar, measured butter, corn syrup, molasses, and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Continue to boil without stirring for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and baking soda, and whisk until the caramel is light in color, foamy, and has doubled in volume, about 10 seconds.

3Immediately drizzle over the popcorn and peanuts, stir with the rubber spatula until thoroughly coated, and spread into an even layer.
4Bake, stirring with the rubber spatula every 15 minutes and scraping up any caramel from the bottom of the pan, until a cooled piece of popcorn is very crunchy, about 45 minutes total. (To test for doneness, take a few pieces of popcorn out of the oven and let cool for 30 seconds. If they’re crunchy, then the Cracky Snack is done.)

5Transfer the Cracky Snack to a work surface or rimmed baking sheet to cool completely (it will crisp as it cools). Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.