Cracker Jack is a beloved American snack food enjoyed by people of all ages. This classic treat consists of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses and is coated with a sweet glaze. While the original Cracker Jack recipe is a closely guarded secret, it is possible to create a homemade version that is just as delicious and satisfying. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making your batch of homemade Cracker Jack clone, complete with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on this culinary adventure together!
Let's cook with our recipes!
CLONE OF A CRACKER JACK®
This peanutty, caramelly popcorn recipe tastes close to the original. It's very easy to prepare at home and makes great gifts! For a thicker coating of caramel, reduce the popped popcorn to 10 cups.
Provided by themoodyfoodie
Categories Desserts Candy Recipes Popcorn Candy Recipes
Time 1h35m
Yield 11
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- Spread popcorn in the bottom of a large, deep roasting pan. Sprinkle peanuts over the popcorn.
- Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar and butter are melted and sauce is thick and caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour caramel sauce over the popcorn and peanuts and stir to coat popcorn and peanuts completely, scooping any peanuts and caramel that fall to the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until caramel and popcorn are crisped, about 45 minutes. Turn popcorn out in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.7 calories, Carbohydrate 37.4 g, Cholesterol 27.8 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 313.8 mg, Sugar 26.3 g
CRACKER JACK - COPYCAT
This recipe has never failed me. The popcorn turns out sweet, buttery and very crispy. If you want caramel corn, just use light corn syrup instead of dark.
Provided by Chilicat
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 55m
Yield 2 quarts
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl or roasting pan. Keep warm in a 250°F oven.
- Melt butter in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla.
- Quickly pour over warm popcorn while tossing until well coated. Spread in a shallow baking pan or roasting pan.
- Bake at 250°F for 45 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes. Make sure every piece of popcorn has been moved around on the bottom.
- Remove from oven and turn out onto foil to let cool.
- Store in a tightly covered container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1717.5, Fat 101.8, SaturatedFat 36.9, Cholesterol 122, Sodium 1195, Carbohydrate 187.8, Fiber 15.1, Sugar 121.6, Protein 33.9
HOMEMADE CRACKER JACK
A salty-sweet, caramel-coated popcorn often eaten at baseball games, Cracker Jack is one of the many well-known confections from Chicago. While molasses-covered popcorn was already popular in the Northeast, the creation of Cracker Jack's special formula is credited to German brothers Frederick William and Louis Rueckheim. Besides coming up with the signature combination of popcorn, molasses and peanuts, they even devised a special package to keep it fresh and crisp. By the late 1800s, the snack was so loved that their company was producing four-and-a-half tons a day. This homemade version is best enjoyed the day it's made, though it will keep for up to three days in an airtight container. Use large, red-skinned peanuts in this recipe if you can find them, as the skins lend a pleasant bitterness that works well with the molasses-caramel coating.
Provided by Samantha Seneviratne
Categories candies
Time 45m
Yield About 16 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 250 degrees and grease two large rimmed baking sheets with neutral oil.
- Add the remaining 3 tablespoons neutral oil and 2 kernels to a large pot. Cover and heat over medium. Once you hear those first two kernels pop, add the remaining kernels, cover and cook, shaking occasionally, until the popping slows down, about 4 to 6 minutes. You should hear a few seconds of silence between pops. Remove from the heat.
- Transfer the popcorn to a large, heatproof bowl and discard any unpopped kernels. Add the peanuts to the popcorn and toss to combine. Set the vanilla and baking soda near the stove for easy access.
- In a small saucepan, stir the butter, brown sugar, molasses and salt over medium until the butter melts. Once the butter has melted, attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and cook the mixture, undisturbed, until the temperature reaches 248 degrees.
- Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will become foamy. Immediately pour it over the popcorn and use a wooden spoon to coat it evenly.
- Spread the popcorn out onto the two prepared baking sheets. Bake until the mixture is dry, about 20 to 25 minutes, tossing occasionally. The mixture will dry out as it cools but may still be slightly sticky. Sprinkle with a bit more salt, to taste.
- Let the popcorn cool completely. It's best enjoyed the day it's cooked, but you can also store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
HOMEMADE CHEDDAR CRACKERS
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Time 1h50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put the Cheddar, flour, butter, salt, seasoned salt and cayenne in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles sand. Add the ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
- Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into squares with a pizza cutter. Use a wooden skewer to poke a small hole in the center of each square. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes. Allow to cool before packing up.
Tips:
- To make sure your Cracker Jacks are perfectly coated, toss them in the melted caramel mixture until they are evenly covered.
- If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test the caramel by dropping a small amount into a glass of cold water. If it forms a hard ball, the caramel is ready.
- Be careful when pouring the hot caramel mixture over the popcorn. It can easily burn you.
- Work quickly when you are mixing the popcorn, caramel, and peanuts together. The caramel will start to harden quickly.
- Let the Cracker Jacks cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Cracker Jacks are a delicious and nostalgic treat that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily make your own Cracker Jacks at home. So next time you're looking for a sweet and salty snack, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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