Best 7 Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares Recipes

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Indulge in the irresistible combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy with our tantalizing Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares. These delightful treats are a symphony of flavors and textures, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. With a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can create these delectable squares in the comfort of your own kitchen.

This recipe collection features three variations of Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares, each offering a unique twist on the classic. The Original Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares are a timeless indulgence, featuring a rich caramel layer sandwiched between crispy popcorn and crunchy peanuts. For a touch of decadence, try the Chocolate Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares, which boast a luscious layer of chocolate ganache that elevates the flavors to new heights. And for those who crave a burst of fruitiness, the Raspberry Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares are an absolute delight, with a vibrant raspberry filling that adds a delightful tartness to the mix.

These Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. They make for an excellent dessert option, perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply enjoying as a sweet treat. You can also package them individually and gift them to friends and family, spreading the joy of these delightful squares.

So, whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner looking for a fun and easy recipe, our Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares are sure to impress. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more with each bite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN BARS



Chewy Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars image

Provided by Katie Lee Biegel

Categories     dessert

Time 45m

Yield about 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
One 10-ounce bag marshmallows
7 to 8 cups lightly salted popcorn, freshly popped or your favorite store brand
One 7.25-ounce bottle hardening chocolate sauce, such as Magic Shell

Steps:

  • Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Melt the peanut butter and butter together in a medium saucepan over low heat, then stir in the marshmallows. Continue to stir until the marshmallows are melted.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the popcorn to coat evenly in the melted marshmallow mixture. Pour the popcorn mixture into the coated baking dish and spread out into an even layer. Drizzle the popcorn with the chocolate sauce. Allow the popcorn treats to cool for 30 minutes, then cut into bars.

CARAMEL PEANUT POPCORN SQUARES



Caramel Peanut Popcorn Squares image

Gooey marshmallows and caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts combine into one decadent sweet-crunchy dessert bar.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated peanut butter cookies
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 bag (3 oz) butter-flavored microwave popcorn, popped (8 cups)
1 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts
1 bag (10 oz) peanut butter chips (1 2/3 cups)
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER PRESSING DOUGH IN PAN WITH FLOURED FINGERS.)
  • Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until light golden brown. Sprinkle marshmallows over crust. Bake 3 minutes longer or until marshmallows are puffed but not browned.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix popcorn and peanuts; set aside. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave peanut butter chips, corn syrup and butter uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour over popcorn mixture; stir to coat completely. Immediately press mixture over marshmallows in even layer using back of spoon.
  • In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until softened and chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate over bars. Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Carbohydrate 39 g, Fat 2, Fiber 1 1/2 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 180 mg

CARAMEL POPCORN



Caramel Popcorn image

Plain microwave popcorn becomes irresistible when it's yummied up with molasses, peanut butter and nuts. "This awesome snack never lasts long around our house," Jacque Castillo, Brookings, Oregon, notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Snacks

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 quarts.

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 packages (3-1/2 ounces each) microwave popcorn
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup salted roasted almonds
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pecan halves

Steps:

  • Pop popcorn according to manufacturer's directions. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the peanuts, almonds, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, peanut butter and molasses. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 5 minutes. , Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam). In a very large bowl, combine popcorn and pecans. Add hot syrup mixture and toss to coat. Spread onto greased baking sheets. , Bake at 250° for 1 hour or until dry, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from pans to waxed paper to cool. Break into clusters. Store in airtight containers or plastic bags.

Nutrition Facts :

PEANUT CARAMEL CORN



Peanut Caramel Corn image

A sweet, crunchy, lighter alternative to traditional caramel corn, this can't-stop-eatin'-it treat won't stick to fingers or teeth! Wonderful for gifts, too. -Lois Ward, Puslinch, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Snacks

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 quarts.

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 cups air-popped popcorn
1/2 cup salted peanuts
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
4-1/2 teaspoons molasses
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Place popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl coated with cooking spray; set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, , molasses, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2-3 minutes without stirring., Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam). Quickly pour over popcorn and mix well., Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 250° for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from pan and place on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 181 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 155mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

HOMEMADE CARAMEL POPCORN AND PEANUTS



Homemade Caramel Popcorn and Peanuts image

Popcorn! Peanuts! We brought a baseball stadium favorite home with a recipe that you can dig into in just 30 minutes.

Provided by By Bree Hester

Categories     Snack

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

7 cups plain popped popcorn
1 cup salted peanuts
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 200°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
  • Place popcorn and peanuts in very large bowl; set aside.
  • In 2-quart saucepan, heat brown sugar, butter and corn syrup to boiling Boil 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda, salt and vanilla.
  • Pour caramel mixture over popcorn mixture; toss until well coated. Spread popcorn mixture evenly on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving

MISS BROWN'S PEANUT-PISTACHIO CARAMEL CORN



Miss Brown's Peanut-Pistachio Caramel Corn image

Do you remember that caramel corn mixed with peanuts that would come in a small cardboard box and have a toy hidden inside? Well, this is my version, with a Gullah spin. I add a mixture of nuts and sesame seeds (known as benne seeds in Gullah and Low Country cooking) to the buttery, sweet caramel corn.

Provided by Kardea Brown

Time 1h45m

Yield 18 to 20 servings (20 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking pans
15 cups popped popcorn (from 1/2 to 2/3 cup unpopped; see Cook's Note)
1 cup salted red-skinned peanuts
1 cup shelled pistachios
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Grease or butter two large, rimmed baking pans. Combine the popcorn, peanuts, pistachios and sesame seeds in a very large bowl or roasting pan.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook until the mixture is completely emulsified and there is no visible melted butter around the edge of the pan, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. (The mixture will puff up.)
  • Pour the mixture evenly over the popcorn mixture and toss well to coat. Divide the popcorn between the two prepared pans, spreading in an even layer. Bake the popcorn for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes and rotating the pans so it cooks evenly. Let cool in the pans, about 20 minutes. Break into pieces to serve.

PEANUTTY CARAMEL BARS



Peanutty Caramel Bars image

Made in the microwave, these sweet and chewy bars can be stirred by very quickly. Loaded with caramel, chocolate, peanuts and peanut butter, they remind some folks of a candy bar. Kids of all ages love them. -Charlene Bennett Clearville, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 10m

Yield about 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (14 ounces) caramels
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup peanut butter, divided
4 cups Cheerios
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or 1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter, softened

Steps:

  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave caramels, water and 1/2 cup peanut butter on high for 45 seconds; stir. Microwave 1 to 1-1/2 minutes longer or until melted. Add cereal and peanuts; toss to coat. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan; set aside., In another microwave-safe bowl, melt chips, butter and remaining peanut butter on high for 20-50 seconds; stir until smooth. Spread over cereal mixture. Refrigerate before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 154 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 126mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh popcorn for the best flavor and texture.
  • If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can use the cold water test to check if the caramel is ready. Drop a small amount of caramel into a bowl of cold water. If it forms a hard ball, the caramel is ready.
  • Be careful not to overcook the caramel, or it will become too hard.
  • If the caramel is too thick, you can add a little bit of water or milk to thin it out.
  • Let the caramel cool slightly before pouring it over the popcorn, or it will melt the popcorn.
  • Press the popcorn mixture firmly into the pan to help it hold together.
  • Chill the popcorn squares for at least 30 minutes before cutting them, or they will be too soft.
  • Store the popcorn squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Conclusion:

Caramel peanut popcorn squares are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for parties, potlucks, or snacking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of these tasty treats that will be sure to please everyone. So next time you're looking for a sweet and salty snack, give caramel peanut popcorn squares a try!

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