Homemade Cracker Jack
- Total Time
- 45 minutes, plus cooling
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:About 16 cups
- 3tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for greasing the pans
- ½cup popcorn kernels
- 1cup roasted, salted red-skinned peanuts
- 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼teaspoon baking soda
- ½cup unsalted butter, chopped into pieces
- 1packed cup light brown sugar
- ¼cup molasses
- ¾teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal), plus more for sprinkling
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)
278 calories; 17 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 24 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 130 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
Heat oven to 250 degrees and grease two large rimmed baking sheets with neutral oil.
- Step 2
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.
- Step 3
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.
- Step 4
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.
- Step 5
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.
- Step 6
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.
- Step 7
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.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Lolly
What about the toy?? I don’t see “toy” in the list of ingredients. It’s the best part.
Debbie Blancas
Don’t call me surely.
L Amenope
I agree with Lolly; it's not Cracker Jack without the toy! Ingredients should include 8-16 tiny toys and 8-16 small opaque waxed bags. Place one toy in each bag, fill with Cracker Jack, fold over top and clip to seal (optional).
HB
I use a silicone spatula for stirring the caramel into the popcorn and then bake it on pans lined with silpat mats. Makes clean up much easier.
The Meshugana Gadfly
Believe they called it a "prize."
Alexa
It might be good with Brussels Sprouts.
MWyman
Omg this was delicious!!! My family loved it! Made them for Xmas and included my own tiny presents. So fun, and so, so good… btw- i made this Christmas Eve for presents Christmas morning and was already not so crunchy. But I’d put the small amount of left overs in a mason jar for us and it was PERFECTLY crunchy! I think that’s the storage method.
rpbinphx
I think it’s a hit!! It’s in the oven as I write, but I did a taste test prior, and it was darn tasty. I love the use of molasses rather than corn syrup in some recipes, and I only have dark brown sugar, so that taste is really forefront, but that works for me. This might become my signature, I mean how chic is that to bring out a glass jar of this to the table after a full dinner, just to nibble as the party winds down?
AJ
This looks amazing! How much popcorn should we have after popping? I don't think we all end up with the same amount after popping a 1/2 cup of kernels! About 16 cups (if we go by the yield). Thanks!
Anne Bailey
Somewhere I have a necklace strung with new vintage authentic metal Crackerjack toys. Got to find it!
Eliza
Delicious!! I saw this today and immediately had to make it. I will make it again, surely.
Renee
I would like to try adding some white or yellow miso paste to the caramel or making a miso caramel recipe I've seen elsewhere to give Cracker Jack a new adult umami twist.
Beth
You could, but popcorn made in a pot with oil is much, much yummier than microwave popcorn.
A.Baker
With the full bodied taste that only comes from molasses, it it is just like, if not exactly like Cracker Jacks. Don't skimp on the peanuts, there is never enough peanuts.
RudisHuman
Out of molasses, I used honey as a substitute... Works great!
Glenda
I made this yesterday as part of a Cracker Jack themed dessert (home-made peanut butter ice cream, molasses caramel sauce, and a small handful of this on top.) This was easy, and extremely delicious. Baking it at the low temperature for 25 minutes was perfect, the toffee was melt in your mouth, and the popcorn was crispy. Perfect molasses taste, I added extra peanuts (the skin-on red peanuts.) I would make this again, maybe for gifts or for Halloween. Don't skip the salt at the end!
Rebeka Joy
This was a big hit at a NY Eve Partee and also as favors for a few days to vendors in the Village and their staff to ring in the NY! I am fixing to make more for treat bags to share in my travels! I even ate some for breakfast on NY's day and felt like it was a sweet sign for 2024! We need some sweetness this day! 1 6 24 was an Insurrection and those accountable need to be brought to account!
Rebekah
Will be an annual staple. Made in advance of a holiday party, but ate almost a whole tray by myself as soon as it came out of the oven so ended up making 3 batches. second time, didn’t work fast enough to spread the sugar and recipe failed. Do prep all your stuff in advance so you can work quickly. They do get softer after a couple days so best fresh, but i still enjoyed.
Kim
I’m kinda old (in years, not in mind!),but I remember the toy was called on the box, “A toy surprise inside!” I’m making this tomorrow. Had to go to 3 stores to find the red skinned peanuts. They used to be everywhere. I also use them for peanut brittle. I can usually get them during the holiday season.
Kimberly
I made this as written, and shared it with a group that had gathered to watch a Marx Brothers movie. It disappeared!
Jessica
We've made this several times. It is foolproof and ridiculously good. Hard to stop eating it!
RudisHuman
Out of molasses, I used honey as a substitute... Works great!
Lauren
I live in Spain and molasses is very hard to find. Is there anything I can substitute?
Cassandra B
This was incredibly good and a total hit with my family. Will be adding this one to the repertoire
MWyman
Omg this was delicious!!! My family loved it! Made them for Xmas and included my own tiny presents. So fun, and so, so good… btw- i made this Christmas Eve for presents Christmas morning and was already not so crunchy. But I’d put the small amount of left overs in a mason jar for us and it was PERFECTLY crunchy! I think that’s the storage method.
A.Baker
With the full bodied taste that only comes from molasses, it it is just like, if not exactly like Cracker Jacks. Don't skimp on the peanuts, there is never enough peanuts.
Kim
I agree! I’m going to add more. Thank you!
me
Changes to cracker jack recipe Used salted butter Swapped 1/4 cup molasses for 1 TBL corn syrup 3 TBL Molasses Used around 1/2 plus tsp. Salt Dropped the nuts to 1/2 cup Not sure you need nuts at all. Cooked to 250 and baked for 20 - 25 minutes stirring at 10 minute intervals Stored in airtight container
Susan P.
No nuts ? That's cruel.
Nancy
I made this for the World Series game one! (Keep it up, Phillies!). Fantastic though I did pop more corn than the original half a cup. Don’t waste the syrup and peanuts on microwave popcorn. This warrants the read deal. This will become a tradition.
Julia
I’ve made this with a dash of cayenne pepper. My sister shared a similar recipe that was identical to this but with an addition of pumpkin pie spice in the caramel mix. Both versions are so tasty!
Skuzy
Made it with my granddaughter today…what a lovely fail proof recipe!
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