Best 3 Caramel Apple Popcorn Clusters Recipes

MINI CARAMEL-APPLE POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss together the popcorn and apples in a large mixing bowl.
• Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil; when it reaches 240 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and swirl in the butter. Return the mixture to the heat and when it reaches 300 degrees F, remove from the heat completely. Carefully add the baking soda and salt. The caramel will bubble and spurt, so stir with caution.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn mixture and use a rubber spatula to gently fold it together. The caramel will still be hot, so be careful. Once the popcorn mixture is completely coated and cool enough to work with, lightly coat your hands with butter. Use your greased hands to form popcorn balls about the size of a tennis ball. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and insert a lollipop stick in the center of each ball. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the caramel is completely set, about 1 hour.

CHUNKY CARAMEL POPCORN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250°F Place popcorn, cashews and pecans in large roasting pan.
• Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.
• Pour butter mixture over popcorn mixture in pan; stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven; place onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. (DO NOT BREAK INTO PIECES.).
• Place chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening into resealable plastic food bag. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) for 30 to 45 seconds; knead bag. Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn mixture. Repeat with white baking chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening, microwaving on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power). Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let stand until chocolate is set (3 to 4 hours). Break popcorn mixture into pieces.
• Store in container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag.
• Recipe Tip
• Chocolate and white baking chips can be melted separately with shortening in a small bowl in microwave or in small saucepan over low heat until melted. Drizzle chocolate mixtures with fork or spoon.

CARAMEL CORN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Heat oil with 3 kernels in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, covered, over moderate heat until 1 or 2 kernels pop. Remove lid and quickly add remaining kernels, then cook, covered, shaking pan frequently, until kernels stop popping, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and uncover.
• Line bottom of a large shallow baking pan with foil. Lightly oil foil. Melt butter in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring, then boil, without stirring, until syrup registers 300°F on thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• Using a wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula, stir salt and baking soda into syrup, then quickly stir in peanuts and popcorn to coat. Immediately spread mixture in baking pan as thinly and evenly as possible. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.