A few years back, my book club read Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season
We were a group of mostly young mothers, some at home, some working outside the home. Many of us were caught up with creating memorable holidays for our families. We’d wanted it all! The shopping, the gifts, the wrapping, the food, the parties, the decorating, the tree, the concerts, the church programs, the special outfits, the … you get the picture.
We had become “Christmas Machines” and had lost the real spirit of Christmas. The book (which remains in print if you’re interested) and our discussion helped us think about the holidays in a new way. Many of us decided to pare back our holiday activities to those we found most meaningful.
For families with children, making caramel corn some afternoon just might make the list. No special equipment or big expense is required. You can plan ahead or just wait until the right moment arises. Just imagine the fun of the kids (and the grandparents?!) dancing around the kitchen shaking their paper bags!
CARAMEL CORN
Makes 16 cups
- 16 cups popped corn (made at home or purchased pre-popped)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Place popcorn in a large paper grocery bag. Combine brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt in four-cup Pyrex measuring cup or a container of similar size that can go in the microwave. In the microwave, bring the mixture to a boil. This will take 2 – 3 minutes on high, depending on your microwave’s power. Once boiling, boil for 3 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from the microwave and stir in baking soda, which will cause the mixture to bubble up. Mix well.
Immediately pour syrup over the popped corn in the bag. Close bag and shake. Cook 3 minutes in the microwave on full power, shaking bag thoroughly after each minute to prevent burning. Pour onto cookie sheet to cool.
Do not double the recipe – if you want more, make multiple batches.
Tis the Season: Holiday Baking!
• A 2002 column published 11/29/02, published online for the first time in 2007
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© Copyright 2002 Kitchen Parade
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Your Comments:
Stef ~ I saw that, you had me drooling. I accidentally made 'bacon caramel' before Thanksgiving, in the cast-iron skillet my dad uses to cook his morning bacon. It was gorgeous. And yes, this is easy-easy, there's no going wrong.
Sally ~ You've got it. When the caramel cooks first, it's in a liquid-y state, thick but definitely pourable. And so it needs to cook a bit more and adhere to the popcorn, hence the paper bag that yes, goes back into the microwave. Take pics of you and your grandson, shaking it up!!
Wouldn't go near a microwave, though.
I'm very happy too - they sugar-crashed and went to bed early.
;-)