The aroma of caramel corn is imbedded in my genes (or should I say jeans?).
The smell of sugar cooking is one that’s hard to ignore.
In this case my first memory of the blessed stuff is going to the Paramount movie theatre in Kankakee for the Saturday matinee.
My mother used to drop us off in front and right next door was a tiny candy kitchen that made fresh, ooey, gooey, caramel corn.
Popcorn and butter-not for me. This was the real stuff; the good stuff; the stuff that smelled like sugar and butter but somehow still had a little salt and vanilla to it.
The kind they don’t sell anymore except at those places like on Michigan Avenue. (No, I don’t know the name but my brother would. The name is Garrett’s!)
Yes, the movie theatre disappeared and the candy shop, too. My childhood memories gone-just like that-kaput.
No, they weren’t caramel corn, but yummy none the less.
But it is fall, and I want caramel corn.
I’d give those trick or treaters caramel corn but they want stuff like sour skittles or warheads or pop rocks or something besides chocolate, or of course this delicious caramel corn.
Well, I’m staying home tonight and making caramel corn- for the memories of course.
After all, it smells so good- the smell alone could kill me.
Microwave Caramel Corn (Believe It)
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 16 Servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Description
This microwave caramel corn may not be the famous Garrett’s caramel corn, but it sure is good!
Ingredients
16 c popcorn or 1 c popcorn popped
1c brown sugar
1/4c lt corn syrup
1/2c butter
1/2t salt
1 t vanilla
1/2t baking soda
My Secret Tip-you can make your own popcorn in a brown lunch bag. Just put 1/4 c popcorn kernels into bag. Fold twice. Set microwave for 3 minutes. When popping slows take out. You now have made your own popcorn without all that yucky stuff that they put in the prepared bags. You also didn’t have to drag out your air popper. For this recipe you should do this 4 times. When you take the popcorn out use your hand so you don’t get the unpopped kernels mixed into the caramel corn.
Instructions
Place popped corn in a doubled brown paper grocery bag. I cut off the top third to make it easier to fit in the microwave.
Combine sugar, syrup, butter and salt in bowl. Microwave on high for two minutes. Stir. Microwave 3 minutes stirring after each minute. This will make a nice gooey thick syrup.
Add vanilla and baking soda. It will bubble like a witch’s cauldron. Stir. Pour over popcorn in bag. Shake it well by using your hips with your hands over your head. (shake, shake, shake, shake your booty.)
Microwave 1 minute. Repeat again with bag overhead. Microwave 1 minute. Shake again-this is your last time. Microwave 30 seconds. (You now have worked out enough to be able to eat this safely.)
Pour onto foil line counter. Let cool and dry. Take a bite before the smell kills you. Make sure to file this under magic in the microwave.
Notes
(from Gatherings Cookbook 1987 edition)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Wednesday 13th of February 2013
Looks fabulous! Love all the shaking going on :) I was wondering how it was going to come together and now I know, the shake/reheat/repeat method. I have a cinnamon-sugar pretzel recipe that's the same idea of heating in bursts like that and shaking it.
The popcorn places on Mich Ave (I used to live in the Gold Coast before I moved to CA!)..possibly like Clark's popcorn? My hubs would for sure know.
I also do the brown paper bag trick for just my normal daily popcorn. Yes, I eat it almost every day :)