Bacon And Cashew Caramel Corn

Serves: 6

Cierra Adams

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

48

Spice

54

Sweetness

55

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tbsps

Vegetable Oil

1.5 cups

Sugar

1 cup

Water

Directions:

1

Preheat oven to 300°F

2

Heat popcorn and oil in covered heavy large pot over medium-high heat until kernels begin to pop

3

Using oven mitts, hold lid on pot and shake pot until popping stops

4

Pour popcorn into very large bowl

5

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until almost crisp

6

Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain; cool

7

Add bacon and cashews to bowl with popcorn

8

Sprinkle with coarse salt and cayenne; toss to coat

9

Bring cream and tea bag just to boil over medium heat

10

Remove from heat; let steep 15 minutes, occasionally pressing on tea bag with back of spoon to release flavor

11

Discard tea bag

12

Line rimmed baking sheet with foil; coat with nonstick spray

13

Coat 2 wooden spoons or heat-resistant spatulas with nonstick spray; set aside

14

Stir sugar, 1/4 cup water, and corn syrup in large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves

15

Increase heat to high; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 13 minutes

16

Remove from heat and immediately add cream (mixture will bubble up)

17

Stir until blended

18

Immediately drizzle caramel over popcorn mixture; toss with sprayed spoons until evenly coated

19

Transfer to sheet

20

Place caramel corn in oven and bake until caramel is shiny and coats popcorn, tossing mixture occasionally, about 20 minutes

21

Cool completely on sheet on rack, tossing occasionally to break up large clumps

22

DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead

23

Store airtight in refrigerator

24

Preheat oven to 300°F

25

Heat popcorn and oil in covered heavy large pot over medium-high heat until kernels begin to pop

26

Using oven mitts, hold lid on pot and shake pot until popping stops

27

Pour popcorn into very large bowl

28

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until almost crisp

29

Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain; cool

30

Add bacon and cashews to bowl with popcorn

31

Sprinkle with coarse salt and cayenne; toss to coat

32

Bring cream and tea bag just to boil over medium heat

33

Remove from heat; let steep 15 minutes, occasionally pressing on tea bag with back of spoon to release flavor

34

Discard tea bag

35

Line rimmed baking sheet with foil; coat with nonstick spray

36

Coat 2 wooden spoons or heat-resistant spatulas with nonstick spray; set aside

37

Stir sugar, 1/4 cup water, and corn syrup in large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves

38

Increase heat to high; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 13 minutes

39

Remove from heat and immediately add cream (mixture will bubble up)

40

Stir until blended

41

Immediately drizzle caramel over popcorn mixture; toss with sprayed spoons until evenly coated

42

Transfer to sheet

43

Place caramel corn in oven and bake until caramel is shiny and coats popcorn, tossing mixture occasionally, about 20 minutes

44

Cool completely on sheet on rack, tossing occasionally to break up large clumps

45

DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead

46

Store airtight in refrigerator

47

What to drink: The folks at Colt & Gray suggest The Derby, a classic cocktail made with bourbon, Bénédictine, and bitters

48

The folks at Colt & Gray suggest The Derby, a classic cocktail made with bourbon, Bénédictine, and bitters