CP Crackerjacks
Did you know that you can use your crockpot to make Cracker Jack Snack Mix?
YOU CAN! You really really really can!
I know. My mind is blown, too! :-)
This is a super fun activity to do with the kids this weekend before you
binge-watch the new Holiday Movies that just arrived on Netflix.
:-)
I first made this recipe way back on 2008 after watching Marc Summers show how
the original cracker jacks recipe was made on Unwrapped.
I love Unwrapped.
The kids enjoy seeing their favorite candy come down the conveyor belt and get
packaged, and Adam and I enjoy hearing about whatever "secret" ingredient makes
the candy or snack special.
I also really like Marc Summers, because it reminds me of coming home after
school to my grandparents' house and watching Double Dare.
I really wanted to be on Double Dare. My brother and I would set up makeshift
obstacle courses to "practice" in case we were ever on the show.
We never applied or filled out any paperwork---- so I don't know how we thought
we would magically appear in the TV, but that didn't' stop us from trying.
Anyhow, while watching Unwrapped, I muttered "I could make that" as Marc
narrated the ingredients list for cracker jacks.
That's all it took for Adam and the kids to pop up and run off to the store,
stopping at my parents to pick up an air popped popcorn machine.
I love how my parents keep everything so I don't have to.
:-)
Original Cracker Jacks in the Slow Cooker
I suppose this could feed 12 people. But instead it fed 5.
--an air popped popcorn machine, or the ability to make popcorn -- so you have
popcorn.
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 to 2 cups peanuts (if salted, decrease salt by 1/3 or so)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup popcorn kernels
--parchment paper or nonstick foil
The Directions.
--put the sugar, corn syrup, molasses, and butter into your crockpot and set on
high.
--pop the corn.
and then some more because your kids will eat it all.
Get out a few mixing bowls in preparation for the popcorn coating.
Spread out a bunch of nonstick foil or parchment paper on your counter top or
the floor so the popcorn will have room to cool and dry.
I used the floor. (capital K classy I tell you.... ) ;-)
You are melting and heating the corn syrup mixture until everything is hot and
bubbly.
This will take 1-3 hours, depending upon the size of your crockpot and your
altitude.
Check on your concoction after 45 minutes, and every 15 min thereafter.
he EHow article I referred to said to use a candy thermometer and that it is
done at 250 degrees --- I don't like candy thermometers, so eyeballed it.
When the candy coating looks hot, bubbly and everything is completely melted,
mix in your popcorn and peanuts.
If you don't have a big enough crockpot for everything to fit in nicely, put
the popcorn in a large mixing bowl and carefully ladle the hot syrup over the
top and mix with wooden spoons.
You may need to do a couple of batches.
It is okay if it doesn't look "perfect"--this is just for fun!
Spread the popcorn on the Release foil or parchment paper and sprinkle with the
Kosher salt.
Taste--depending on how salty your peanuts were, you may need less or more salt.
The Verdict.
We ate so much of this that we didn't eat any dinner!
It was very, very good. And very, very sticky.
We weren't smart enough to seal it up in an airtight container overnight, so it
went all stale and funky over night.
the exact same way the real cracker jacks does!
:-)
enjoy!! Happy Slow Cooking and have a wonderful weekend!!
steph
"If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges
each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more
love, patience, tolerance, and care."
-Marvin J. Ashton
🙏
I appreciate the second chance of life at:
https://www.gofundme.com/sugars-transplant-journey
-Sugar, ❤😘
