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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Candy + Treats

    Family Fun Popcorn Crunch

    Published: Mar 23, 2017 · Updated: Aug 14, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Popcorn Crunch Pinterest Pin
    Caramel Popcorn
    Popcorn Crunch Pinterest Pin

    This caramely popcorn is addictive. With crunchy pretzels, dried fruit and brown sugar, there's nothing the kids, or YOU will want to snack on more than this popcorn crunch!


    Baking this popcorn crunch after the caramel is poured on, helps it get crackly crisp. The addition of pretzels, pecans and apricots make it the most delicious snack.

    My team created this recipe for Family Fun magazine and you can find the recipe on their site!

    Plus a beautiful picture by photographer Tara Donne. The article we created the recipe for was a kids movie night. What a perfect snack for the little munchkins to...well...munch on!

    Family Fun Popcorn Crunch in orange bowl

    I think this tasty recipe made an impression. Elizabeth Shaw, the extraordinary Editor In Chief, made it at home and shared her creation. I mean how cute that she even had an orange bowl to match the magazine image!? Thanks for the shout-out Elizabeth!

    Family Fun Popcorn Crunch

    The magazine posted this darling little girl enjoying a bowl of the popcorn crunch on Instagram! As they mentioned, it's pretty perfect for a Sunday Funday snack as well!

    Family Fun Instagram Post

    Speaking of popcorn, there's quite a riff in the world about the best popcorn poppers. What kind do you use? I have to say I love this style, where you can use the top of the popper as a bowl once the popcorn is popped! Some folks like the air poppers and others the stovetop versions. Either way your popcorn gets popped and ready for delicious caramel sauce!

    Bowl of popcorn with popper and salt.

    📖 Recipe

    Popcorn crunch in orange platter

    Popcorn Crunch

    Tara Teaspoon
    Salty sweet caramel popcorn with nuts and pretzels mixed in. Add dried apricots for a tangy and sweet bite.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Snack
    Servings 10 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 cups popped popcorn
    • 1 cup broken pecans
    • 1 cup chopped dried apricots
    • 2 cups thin pretzel knots (broken into pieces)
    • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
    • ¾ cup butter
    • ½ cup light corn syrup
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 250°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with nonstick foil.
    • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the popcorn, pecans, apricots, and pretzels.
    • In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat until it boils. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda.
    • Pour caramel over popcorn, stirring. Spread onto baking sheets. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring twice. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break into chunks and serve.

    Notes

    This popcorn mix is salty and sweet. Perfect for a movie snack or party favor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 458kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 685mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 4gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 921IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg
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    for the tasty Family Fun Popcorn Crunch recipe, and click below for my other popcorn creations you can't stop eating!

    My Barbecue Popcorn is easy to make with spices you have in the pantry. You won't believe how smokey delicious it is in every bite.

    Chocolate Malt Popcorn will get you through the day, night, party, game! Anything you need a snack for, this will fit the bill perfectly.

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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipe by Susan Vajaranant for Tara Teaspoon Inc. Recipe appears in Family Fun magazine. Photography for Family Fun by Tara Donne.

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Brittany Smart says

      July 19, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      I love popcorn!!

      Reply
    2. Mary Bench says

      May 07, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      These look fantastic! Must try!

      Reply
    3. Julie says

      March 14, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      This is perfect when I'm craving that sweet & salty combo. Easy to put together and store as well.

      Reply
    4. Britney says

      March 17, 2022 at 11:21 pm

      Such a fun twist on a classic movie night treat! We love the apricots and crunchy pecans.

      Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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