Caramel Crunch Popcorn for #OurFamilyTable

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Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures said:  Christmas is just around the corner!! Did you forget a teacher or co-worker or 10 on your gift list? Why not head to the kitchen and make some homemade gifts! From cocoa and spice mixes to brittles and candies, share your favorite holiday food gifts with us. 

I have been happy to participate in a couple different events over the years where we focused on food / food related gifts for the Holidays - here are a few of the things I've shared before:

• Peppermint Sugar Scrub (this stuff is amazing!!)
• Honey Roasted Almonds 
• Refrigerator Garlic Dill Pickles 
• Candy Cane Cookies
• Apple Pie Spice Mix
• Homemade Irish Cream Liquer
• Caramel and Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods (a family favorite and tradition)!

Homemade gifts are always extra special, and a fun thing to exchange especially with co-workers and neighbors! I usually make and share batches of my Peanut Brittle every year for my co-workers.

Today I thought I'd try some amped up and delicious nutty caramel popcorn! The fun thing about recipes like this one is you can very easily mix and match the add-ins; I happened to have a little bit of a chocolate / coffee trail mix, an open can of cashew pieces, and an open jar of roasted peanuts. I mixed and matched and you really can't go wrong with any combination of nuts / chocolate. 

This is so pretty wrapped up in cellophane gift bags, tied with some festive ribbon, and shared with friends and family for the Holidays!

Come get a ton of great ideas for food gifts this year!

Food Gifts

• Bourbon Pecan Persimmon Bread by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Caramel Crunch Popcorn by Making Miracles
• Chocolate Red Wine Cake by That Recipe
• Dal Soup in a Jar by Magical Ingredients
• Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans by Blogghetti
• Hot Chocolate Bombs by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Loaded Pretzel Rods by Art of Natural Living
• Original Chex Mix by Family Around the Table
• Pancake Mix by Books n' Cooks
• Simple Fudge by Our Good Life

Caramel Crunch Popcorn 

Ingredients

1 bag microwave kettle corn popcorn

1 cup assorted nuts / chocolate pieces (trail mix / roasted peanuts / mini chocolate chips)

1/2 cup butter 

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/4 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Pop the bag of popcorn and discard all unpopped kernels. Place pop corn in a large bowl and sprinkle the assorted nuts / chocolate pieces in; tossing to combine.
3. In a medium sized pot, add the butter, sugars, and corn syrup. Stir regularly, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes. 
4. Remove from heat and stir in the baking powder - mixture will foam up. Once the baking powder is blended in, immediately scrape the caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to evenly coat the popcorn and nuts.
5. Line a baking sheet with a silpat and spread popcorn on the baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, stir gently, and bake another 20 minutes.
7. Cool, break up the chunks of popcorn, and serve or place into small cellophane gift bags!

Recipe adapted from Good Housekeeping