Ingredients
- 5-6 cups popped popcorn
- 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
- 1 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit
- 3/4 teaspoon ancho or other chile powder or sweet-hot paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup natural cane sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Caramel Crunch Popcorn
Courtesy of Smithfork Ranch | Delicious Living- Serves: 6 people
- Calories per serving: 281
Photography by Jennifer Olson
Making your own popcorn is easy, healthy, and much tastier than most microwave versions. To make 5–6 cups for this recipe, combine 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil and 1/3 cup kernels in a heavy-bottomed pot over high heat; cover and shake over heat until popping stops. This party-perfect mix, courtesy of Smith Fork Ranch, makes a fun gift for kids, too.
Directions
- Place popcorn, almonds, and dried fruit in large stainless-steel bowl. Combine spices in a small bowl and place next to stovetop.
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until sugar starts to turn a deep-brown color, about 25 minutes. Caution: Liquid is extremely hot!
- Quickly stir in spices and then pour caramel over popcorn, stirring quickly but carefully to combine. Once cooled, place in decorative bags and tie with ribbon.
PER SERVING (1 cup): 281 cal, 9g fat (6g mono, 2g poly, 1g sat), 0mg chol, 5g protein, 36g carb, 3g fiber, 76mg sodium
