Homemade Cracker Jacks (Caramel Corn)

Our recent trip to Fenway Park left us craving Cracker Jacks. I looked around for a homemade recipe online, and combined several to come up with this one.


2 quarts freshly popped popcorn
1 1/2 cups peanuts


1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/6 cup light corn syrup


1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla


Mix the popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl; set aside.


Mix the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until boiling. Simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Pour the syrup over the popcorn and peanut mixture and stir to coat well. 

Spread on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees F. for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool, break apart and store in tightly covered container.