Ballpark Caramel Corn

Fall has snuck into our lives. The air is crisper and the sun peaks out of the clouds on rare occasion. I am beginning to really worry about November; for the last four years, we have Novembered in Arizona, where it’s sunny. Every. Single. Day. November in Toronto is dreary at best, cold, grey and wet. Generally not very pretty. We have decided to postpone any travel plans for the next year or so until this COVID beast works itself out. So we will not be spending the month of November in Arizona. I am concerned.

November is a bear, but so can the odd day in September and October. One such dreary late September afternoon, we decided to watch a movie and I made this popcorn recipe. I did not make the fourteen cups that the original recipe called for, ours worked out to be about half which was too much for the two of us, but should suffice for three or four. To be honest, I’ve never had Ballpark Caramel Corn (but I have been to a couple of ball games). This recipe intrigued me because of the molasses addition which gives the corn a slightly anise-flavour.

This recipe is perfect for movie night or Halloween night. We have decided to heed government advice and not participate in Halloween, so we’ve opted out of decorating our house for the occasion but some people have gone all out.

Ball Park Caramel Corn

For the original recipe, please click here.

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

• 100 g peanuts
• 120 g kernels
• 75 g butter
• 165 g brown sugar
• 60 mL molasses
• 2.5 mL salt
• Pinch of baking soda

Directions:

1. Pop the kernels. Preheat the oven to 250° F. Prepare a large baking sheet by spraying with a non-stick spray.
2. Combine all of the ingredients but the baking soda, popcorn and peanuts in a heavy-bottom pan, mix well.
3. Heat until it reaches a temperature of 268° F, quickly stir in the baking soda, being careful as it could bubble over. Combine the popped corn and peanuts, mix well. Pour the molasses mixture over the popped corn and peanuts, working quickly to mix the molasses into the corn.
4. Pour the coated corn and peanuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out, it doesn’t have to be in a single layer and clusters are preferred. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once around 7 minutes.
5. Allow to cool completely, then break apart into varying cluster sizes. Serve in ballpark popcorn containers.

Notes:

• The original recipe suggests salted peanuts, we are trying to reduce our salt intake so I used plain peanuts.
• This is a richer flavoured take on caramel corn, which I find equally as delicious.