A delightful caramel popcorn recipe with a hint of nuttiness, perfect for snacking or sharing.
Pop the popcorn kernels using your preferred method, and place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
Ensure there are no unpopped kernels in the bowl to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Add the roasted peanuts to the bowl with the popcorn and mix gently to combine.
You can use a variety of nuts or seeds to customize the flavor.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt.
Stir constantly to prevent the sugar from burning.
Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Keep an eye on the mixture to ensure it doesn't boil over.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Adding the vanilla off the heat preserves its flavor.
Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and peanuts, and quickly stir to coat evenly.
Work quickly as the caramel will start to harden as it cools.
Spread the coated popcorn mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool and set.
Spread it out evenly to ensure it cools and hardens uniformly.
Once cooled, break into pieces and serve or store in an airtight container.
This popcorn makes a great gift when packaged in decorative bags or jars.