MAPLE CARAMEL POPCORN RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
• In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil and 3 popcorn kernels over medium-high with lid on top. When kernels pop, add remaining kernels to pot, lower heat to medium-low, and crack the lid open a sliver, facing away from you, to release steam. (Alternatively, you could cover the pot with a mesh deep-frying screen, or an upside-down colander or strainer.) Cook, shaking the pot occasionally, until the popping stops.
• Transfer popcorn to a heatproof bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels. Add nuts to bowl.
• In a medium pot, bring maple syrup, butter and brown sugar to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until butter and sugar have melted (the mixture should be foamy). Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in salt, vanilla and baking soda. (Mixture may bubble up.)
• Immediately pour hot syrup over popcorn mixture, and use a spatula to mix it well. Scrape popcorn onto prepared baking sheet in one layer. Bake, rotating the pan after 15 minutes, for 25 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you can remove a piece of the popcorn, and after letting it cool for about a minute, it’s crisp when you bite into it. Taste and sprinkle lightly with more salt if you like. Let cool before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line 1 or 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine butter, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, maple syrup, and honey in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until mixture begins to simmer; let simmer on low, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and baking soda at once. Stir to combine.
• Place popcorn in a warm mixing bowl and coat by drizzling caramel sauce over corn while stirring using a heavy metal spoon, making sure to stir slowly and not allowing hot caramel on hands. Place onto the prepared baking sheet, using an additional baking sheet if you're worried it is piled too high.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crispy, about 40 minutes, removing every 10 minutes to stir corn.
• Remove from the oven and place the tray on a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes.