Movie Night Caramel Corn

Movie Night is always an event in our house, especially now that the kids are older and it is harder to find a night when we are all home.  One of the most requested snacks on movie night is always the homemade caramel corn.  I have been using this same recipe since I was a girl and found it in a children's cookbook (a long time ago!).

Umm....no drooling on the screen please.

Movie Night Caramel Corn
8 C. popped popcorn
3/4 C. packed brown sugar
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
3 Tbsp. Corn syrup (or corn syrup substitute)
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Place popcorn in a large casserole dish, set aside.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Preparing for a double batch

In a med. saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt.  Bring to a boil over med. heat.  When mixture starts to boil, stop stirring and boil 5 minutes (without stirring).

No stirring my caramelly goodness

Remove mixture from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla, mixture will become light and fluffy.

Ready for some popcorn

Pour mixture over popcorn and stir to coat.  Bake for 20-25 minutes stirring every 7-8 minutes, until mixture starts to harden.

Just keep stirring, just keep stirring...

Remove from oven and cool, stirring to break up pieces and keep from sticking to pan.  Caramel corn becomes crunchy as it cools.

Enjoy!

~I almost always make a double batch, otherwise it disappears before I can set the bowl down. 

Cinnamon Graham Crackers

These are one of our favorite treats in the summer!  Spread them with a little peanut butter or frosting or use them for some delicious ice cream sandwiches. Yum!

1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour (I used a combination of freshly ground whole wheat and spelt flours )
1/2 C. wheat germ
1 C. unbleached flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 C. butter or margarine, softened (you could also substitute shortening)
1/2 C. brown sugar (I didn't want to make brown sugar so I used evaporated cane sugar)
1/2 C. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 C. milk
cinnamon/sugar

Sift together flours, wheat germ, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder.

 In mixer, cream together butter and sugar.

Add in honey and vanilla.  (Hint: spritz your measuring cup with nonstick spray before measuring your honey and it will slide right out!)

Mix in sifted ingredients alternating with milk to form dough.  Dough will be slightly sticky.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Divide dough into quarters and roll into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface using a floured rolling pin.

Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into squares. Prick several times with a fork and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mix. 

 Transfer to cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from sheet and cool.

-Use these crackers to make a graham cracker pie crust.

-If you don't have wheat germ, substitute another 1/2 C. whole wheat flour.

-For chocolate graham crackers, substitute cocoa powder for the wheat germ.

-For plain crackers, leave out the cinnamon and don't sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar.

-These make awesome s'mores!