Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Crabtree Crunch

Everyday after school, the boys come in through the door with, "MOM, WE'RE STARRVVINNGGG!" To which I reply, "Really?? Lunch was just 3 hours ago." If they are lucky, I make one of their favorite snacks from Martha Stewart, Crunchy Caramel Corn (they've renamed it Crunchy Crabby Corn after our family last name, Crabtree.) During the holidays, we package it for friends & family with cute "Christmas Crabtree Crunch" labels (which include custom Christmas crab designs by our boys of course). We have tried several versions of this basic recipe, adding cinnamon, pecans, m&m's, and whatever else looks good from the pantry. Enjoy!

Crunchy Caramel Corn
Martha Stewart
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking sheet
10 cups plain unsalted popped (from 1/2 cup kernels or a 3.3-ounce bag microwave popcorn) popcorn
1 cup cashews, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
Coarse salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Place popcorn in a large bowl; if using cashews, add to bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss.
Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes. Transfer hot popcorn to parchment-paper-lined baking sheet; let cool. Store in airtight container up to 1 week.

4 comments:

Whimsy Cookie Co. said...

YUM-O..looks great!! My boys would love it!! I am going to try this one. Thanks for sharing!! Laurie

Melissa said...

i just read through a bunch of posts and i have to say i am so excited for halloween this year. i wasn't going to put up any decorations yet but avi spied my pumpkin lights in the laundry room yesterday and that was a good excuse to put them up . . . i love it!

can't wait to see you guys and maybe eat some crabby corn together. (:

Always a Southern Girl said...

This looks great. I gotta try it. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Hope you have a great week.

Stephanie Faris said...

Mmmmmmm yummy. My boyfriend says he still remembers his mom making this for him when they were kids. It's one of his fondest childhood memories.